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JOHN  E.  POTTER,  Publisher, 

No.  617  Sansom  Street,  Philadelphia,  Pa, 


OUR  CAMPAIGNS; 


OR,   THE 


MARCHES,  BIVOUACS,  BATTLES,  INCIDENTS  OF  CAMP 

LIFE  AND  HISTORY  OF  OUR  REGIMENT  DURING 

ITS  THREE  YEARS  TERM  OF  SERVICE. 


TOGETHER    WITH 


A  SKETCH  OF  THE  ARMY  OF  THE  POTOMAC,  UNDER  GENERALS  McCLELLAN, 
BURNSIDE,  HOOKER,  MEADE  AND  GRANT. 


By   E.   M.    WOODWARD, 

Adjutant,   Second  Pa.  Reserves. 


PHILADELPHIA: 

PUBLISHED  BY  JOHN  E.  POTTER,  No.  617  SANSOM  STREET. 
1865. 


•  5 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress  in  the  year  1865  by 

E.  M.  WOODWARD, 

in  the  Clerk's  Office  of  the  District  Court  of  the  United  States,  in  and  for  the  Eastern 
^  P,istrvict  of  Pennsylvania. 


Stereotyped  by -Thfcorfocie' $rt>*/i\,  <$p$«Sancom  atree',  Philadelphia. 


COLLINS  PRINTER. 


WE  FLOWERS 


TO 


TO  THE  MEMORY  OF  THEIR  DEAD, 


IS    RESPECTFULLY   DEDICATED. 


THEIR  COMRADE, 


INTRODUCTORY. 


THE  object  in  writing  this  volume,  is  to  give  in  a 
clear  and  lucid  manner  the  history  of  THE  SECOND 
KEGIMENT  PENNSYLVANIA  EESERVE  VOLUNTEER  CORPS, 
and  an  insight  into  the  life  of  a  soldier.  To  connect  it 
properly  with  the  movements  of  the  army,  it  is  deemed 
necessary  briefly  to  sketch  the  campaigns  of  the  "  ARMY 
OF  THE  POTOMAC,"  under  Generals  MCCLELLAN,  BURN- 
SIDE,  HOOKER,  MEADE  and  GRANT,  from  its  formation 
until  June,  1864,  when  the  regiment's  term  of  three  years 
expired  and  it  was  mustered  out.  The  short,  arduous 
and  decisive  campaign  of  "The  Army  of  Virginia"  under 
General  POPE,  is  also  sketched." 

The  Author's  journal,  kept  on  the  field,  and  his 
"  Picket "  letters  in  the  Sunday  Transcript,  written  on 
the  spot  with  the  official  reports  of  Commanders,  furnish 
the  material.  If  the  recital  of  the  incidents  of  the  camps, 
the  marches,  the  bivouacs,  the  battles  and  the  joys,  the 
sorrows,  the  pleasures,  the  sufferings,  the  glories  and  the 
defeats,  will  revive  in  the  memory  of  the  participants, 
the  scenes-  gone  by,  or  interest  the  reader,  it  will  be  the 
highest  source  of  gratification  to  the  author. 

M30491  E.  M.  w. 

vii 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  I. 

PAGE. 

THE  GREAT  REBELLION 13 


CHAPTER  II. 

SUMTER  AND  THE  FLAG  FIRED  ON — THE  AIM  AND  DESIGN  OF  THE  LEADERS  OP  THE 
REBELLION — JUSTIFICATION  OF  THE  COURSE  OF  PRESIDENT  LINCOLN 22 


CHAPTER  III. 

WAR  FOR  THE  UNION— PENNSYLVANIA'S  RESPONSE— ORGANIZATION  OF  THE  RESERVES 
—COLONELS  MANN'S,  MARSH'S  AND  DE  KORPONAY'S  REGIMENTS— CAMP  WASH 
INGTON — QUAINT  NAMES — WHISKY  IN  A  MUSKET  BARREL — GETTING  THE  COUN 
TERSIGN  28. 

CHAPTER  IV. 

ORGANIZATION  OF  THE  SECOND,  THIRD  AND  FOURTH  RESERVES — DISSATISFACTION 
THEREWITH — ELECTION  OF  FIELD  OFFICERS — WATCHED  AND  FANNED  ALL  NlGHT — 
DEPARTURE  OF  THE  FOURTH  AND  THIRD  REGIMENTS 39 

CHAPTER  V. 

DEPARTURE  OF  THE  SECOND — ITS  ROSTER — CAMP  CURTIN — LEAVE  THE  STATE  WITH 
OUT  BEING  MUSTERED  INTO  THE  UNITED  STATES  SERVICE — MARCHING  WITHOUT 
ORDERS — BALTIMORE — SANDY  HOOK — DISCONTENT  AMONG  THE  MEN — REFUSAL  TO 

TAKE    THE   OATH— SENT   HOME   IN   DISGRACE— STRANGE   MISMANAGEMENT— MARCH 

TO  BERLIN 44 

CHAPTER  VI. 

MARCH  THROUGH  MARYLAND— MUTINY  IN  THE  NINETEENTH  NEW  YORK  MILITIA- 
GUARDS  AFTER  WHISKY— DISBANDING  OF  COMPANIES 63 

9 


10  CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER  VII. 

PAGE. 

TENALLYTOWN — VISIT  FROM  THE  PRESIDENT  AND  GENERAL  MCCLELLAN — PRESENTA 
TION  OF  FLAGS— A  HAIL  STORM— THE  REGIMENTS  BRIGADED 61 

t 

CHAPTER  VIII. 

CROSSING  THE  CHAIN  BRIDGE — CAMP  PIERPONT — THE  "LONG  ROLL," — BEAUREGARD 
RECONNOITERING — MARCH  TO  DRAINESVILLE — AN  INDISCREET  HEN — RETURN  TO 
PIERPONT— BALL'S  BLUFF— REVIEW— RESIGNATION  OF  COLONEL  MANN— GRAND 
REVIEW 65 

CHAPTER  IX. 

SKIRMISH  NEAR  DRAINESVILLE — FORAGING  EXPEDITION — BATTLE  OF  DRAINESVILLE 
— VISIT  OF  GOVERNOR  CURTIN — THE  BOYS  IN  WINTER — CAMP  LIFE — FIRING  FOR 
MEDALS  —  PICKETING  — ' '  OLD  UNCLE  BEN  "  —  "  TAKING  FRENCH  ' '  —  NAUGHTY 
"SELL." 73 

CHAPTER  X. 

OPENING  OF  THE  CAMPAIGN  OF  1862— FAREWELL  TO  PIERPONT — THE  MARCH — HAWK- 
HURST'S  MILLS — ARMY  CORPS — WET  AND  NOISY  NIGHT — "HOLLO  BARNEY" — 
ALEXANDRIA— EMBARKATION  FOR  THE  PENINSULA— BY  RAILROAD— A  NIGHT  IN 
REBEL  CABINS— RUINS  OF  MANASSAS— BULL  RUN  FIELD— SELLING  CIDER— MARCH 
TO  THE  RAPPAHANNOCK— CAVALRY  SKIRMISH— WASHINGTON  vs.  DAVID  OF  OLD..  ..  82 

CHAPTER  XI. 

FALMOUTH— VISIT  OF  PRESIDENT  LINCOLN— CROSSING  THE  RAPPAHANNOCK— GRAVE 
OF  MARY  WASHINGTON— LOVE  BUBBLE — CEMETERY — MARCH  TO  GRAY'S  LANDING 
— EMBARKATION  FOR  THE  PENINSULA — VOYAGE  TO  THE  WHITE  HOUSE — MARCH  TO 
DISPATCH  STATION 96 

CHAPTER  XII. 

SIEGE  OF  TORKTOWN — BATTLE  OF  WILLIAMSBURG — SKIRMISHES  AT  SEVEN  PINES, 
COLD  HARBOR  AND  MECHANICSVILLE— BATTLE  OF  HANOVER  COURT  HOUSE- 
BATTLE  OF  FAIR  OAKS— ATTACK  ON  TUNSTALL'S  STATION— MARCH  TO  THE  CHICKA- 
HOMINY— NANALEY'S  MILL— SHELLING  THE  ENEMY— BATTLE  OF  OAK  GROVE 105 

CHAPTER  XIII.  ' 

STRENGTH  OF  THE  OPPOSING  ARMIES— OPENING  OF  THE  SEVEN  DAYS'  BATTLE- 
BATTLE  OF  MECHANICSVILLE— BATTLE  OF  GAINES'  MILLS— CROSSING  THE  CHICKA- 

HOMINY ,  t<i    U6 


CONTENTS.  11 

CHAPTER  XIV. 

PAG*. 

CHANGE  OF  BASE — MARCH  TO  THE  JAMES  RIVER — BATTLE  OF  ALLEN'S  FARM — BAT 
TLE  OF  SAVAGE'S  STATION — A  NIGHT  ON  PICKET — THE  BATTLE  OF  GLENDALE — THE 
RIVER  REACHED 130 

CHAPTER  XV. 

BATTLK  OF  MALVERN  HILL — MARCH  TO  HARRISON'S  LANDING — CRUELTY  TO  OUK 
WOUNDED — HUNTING  GRETBACKS — WHITE  GLOVES  AND  RAGGED  CLOTHES — VISIT 
OF  PRESIDENT  LINCOLN 148 

^     CHAPTER  XVI. 

MIDNIGHT  SHELUNO — A  SPY— PROMOTIONS— RETURN  OF  GENERALS  MCCALL  AND 
REYNOLDS— WITHDRAWAL  FROM  THE  PENINSULA— VOYAGE  ON  THE  JAMES  AND 
POTOMAC— GENERAL  POPE'S  MOVEMENT— HUNTING  OUR  DIVISON— RUNNING  THE 
GAUNTLET 164 

CHAPTER  XVII. 

SECOND  BATTLE  OF  BULL  RUN— CONDUCT  OF  GENERAL  Frrz  JOHN  PORTER- THE 

ARMY  FALLS  BACK— BATTLE  OF  CHANTILLY— ARLINGTON  HEIGHTS— UPTON'S  HILL..  175 

CHAPTER  XVIII. 

CROSSING  THE  POTOMAC— MARCH  THROUGH  MARYLAND— BATTLE  OF  SOUTH  MOUNTAIN 
—REMARKABLE  INCIDENT ,  ...  193 


CHAPTER  XIX. 

THB  BATTLE  OF  ANTIETAM— FIELD  HOSPITALS— THE  ENEMY  WITHDRAWN  TO  VIR 
GINIA — PORTER'S  RECONNOISSANCE — VISIT  OF  PRESIDENT  LINCOLN 


CHAPTER  XX. 

CROSSING  THB  POTOMAC— MARCH  THROUGH  VIRGINIA— WARHENTON— GENERAL  Mo- 
CLELLAN  SUPERCEDED— REMOVAL  OF  GENERAL  FITZ  JOHN  PORTER— OUR  VIRGINIA 
FRIENDS— BOMBARDMENT  OP  FREDERICKSBURG— LAYING  PONTOONS ...  221 


CHAPTER  XXI. 

BATTLE  op  FREDERICKSBCRG  -  Loss  OF  OUR  ARMY — INCIDENTS — CAUSES  OF  THE  DE 
FEAT— RE-CROSS  THE  RAPPAHANNOCK ...  232 


12  CONTENTS 

CHAPTER  XXII. 

PAGE. 

PICKET  TRUCE  AND  FIGHTING— FAREWELL  OF  GENERAL  MEADE— THE  MUD  EXPEDI 
TION—GENERAL  BURNSIDE  RELIEVED  BY  GENERAL  HOOKER— ORDERED  TO  ALEXAN 
DRIA — To  FAIRFAX  COURT  HOUSE — PICKET  AT  BULL  RUN— CAPTURE  OF  GENERAL 
STOUGHTON— PROMOTIONS 247 

CHAPTER  XXIII. 

OUR  PETITION— MARCH  TO  PENNSYLVANIA— HAPPY  DAY— BATTLE  OF  GETTYSBURG — 
LOSSES  OF  THE  ARMIES 259 

CHAPTER  XXIV. 

FALL  OF  REYNOLDS— THE  BOY'S  SWORD— MARCH— UNDYING  LOVE— FALLING  WATERS 
—LEE  CROSSES  THE  POTOMAC— WAPPING  HEIGHTS— MANASSAS  GAP— ANECDOTE- 
MARCHING  IN  A  CIRCLE , 276 

CHAPTER  XXV. 

RAPPAHANNOCK  STATION— THE  SWORD  BANQUET— MILITARY  EXECUTION— MARCH  TO 
CULPEPPER  COURT  HOUSE 289 

CHAPTER  XXVI. 

LEE'S  ATTEMPT  TO  FLANK— BACK  TO  THE  RAPPAHANNOCK— To  BRANDY  STATION— 
THE  BATTLE  OF  BRISTOE— To  CENTREVILLE  AND  FAIRFAX  COURT  HOUSE— VICTO 
RIES  AT  RAPPAHANNOCK  STATION  AND  KELLEY'S  FORD— REBEL  CABINS— CROSSING 
THE  RAPIDAN— BATTLE  OF  MINE  RUN— WINTER  QUARTERS  AT  BRISTOE— FLAG 
PRESENTATION — REORGANIZATION  OF  THE  ARMY 297 

CHAPTER  XXVII. 

POSITION  OF  THE  ARMIES— OPENING  OF  GRANT'S  CAMPAIGN— THE  BATTLE  OF  THE 
WILDERNESS— THE  BATTLE  OF  SPOTTSYLVANIA  COURT  HOUSE— ENGAGEMENT  AT 
GUINNEY'S  STATION— ENGAGEMENT  AT  NORTH  ANNA— TERM  OF  SERVICE  EXPIRES 
—THE  REGIMENT  RESOLVES  TO  REMAIN— THE  BATTLE  OF  BETHESDA  CHURCH— THE 
PARTING -MARCHING  HOME— RECEPTION  IN  HARRISBURG  AND  PHILADELPHIA- 
PRESENTATION  OF  MEDALS 305 

APPENDIX  A. 

KILLED,  WOUNDED  AND  MISSING 329 

APPENDIX  B. 

ROSTER  op  THE  SECOND  PENNSYLVANIA  RESERVES 334 

APPENDIX  C. 

"MARCHES   AND  BIVOUACS 358 


ur 


CHAPTER  I. 

THE   GREAT   REBELLION. 

MANY  men  of  discernment,  who  had  watched  the 
politics  of  the  country  for  years  past,  and  the  gradual 
but  steady  moulding  of  public  opinion  in  the  North  and 
South,  had  long  foreseen  the  approaching  storm,  that  was 
to  test  the  great  question  of  the  stability  of  the  Govern 
ment  and  institutions  established  by  our  fathers,  and 
many  pure  patriots  of  both  sections,  guided  by  the  light 
of  history  in  their  judgments,  foreseeing  the  fearful  con 
sequences  that  would  inevitably  follow,  sought  to  avoid 
or  at  least  postpone  the  calamity  by  concessions  and  com 
promises,  while  others,  equally  patriotic  and  sincere, 
deemed  it  best  to  bear  the  bosom  to  the  storm  and  suffer 
the  consequences  at  once,  rather  than  by  delay,  permit 
the  nation  to  be  bound  hand  and  foot  to  the  car  of 
Southern  institutions. 

Under  the  Government  of  the  United  States,  which 
Alexander  H.  Stephens,  the  Vice- President  of  the 
"  Southern  Confederacy,"  in  November,  1860,  pronounced 
"  the  most  beneficent  Government  of  which  history  gives 
us  any  account,"  and  which  Jefferson  Davis,  the  Presi 
dent  in  the  session  of  1860-61  said  was,  "the  best  Gov 
ernment  ever  instituted  by  man,  unexceptionably  ad 
ministered,  and  under  which  the  people  have  been  pros- 

(13) 


14  OUR    CAMPAIGNS. 

perous  beyond  comparison  with  any  other  people  whose 
career  has  been  recorded  in  history,"  the  citizens  of  all 
sections  of  the  country  and  of  every  class  felt  only  ^  its 
power  and  influence  to  protect  and  prosper.  Possessing 
a  continent  under  one  Government  and  one  flag,  free 
from  the  evils  of  standing  armies  and  expensive  fleets, 
free,  from  imposts  .aftd  export  duties  among  themselves, 
free  Jfrom.eVpott;  duties  to  foreign  countries, and  internal 
revenue  taxes,  being  '0<ae  people  in  fact  with  a  substan 
tial  oommumt^  fff  origin,  language,  belief  and  law,  (the 
great  ties  that  hold  society  together,)  having  struggled, 
suffered  and  triumphed  together,  with  their  glories  and 
defeats  in  common,  with  a  Constitution  springing  from 
the  free  consent  of  all  with  ample  provisions  for  its  peace 
ful  alteration  or  modification,  with  one  section  a  com 
mercial  and  manufacturing,  another  grain  and  stock 
growing,  and  a  third  whose  great  staple  was  cotton  and 
tobacco,  they  of  all  people  on  God's  earth  should  have 
lived  in  peace  and  contentment.  But  the  South  saw  that 
in  wealth  and  prosperity  the  North  was  far  outstrip 
ping  her,  and  alas,  instead  of  seeking  for  the  cause  and 
trying  to  remedy  the  fault,  they  affected  to  despise  the 
superior  industry  and  energy  of  the  North,  preferring  a 
system  of  labor  that  gave  wealth  and  luxuriant  ease  to 
the  few,  at  the  expense  of  the  prosperity  and  elevation 
of  the  masses,  and  the  degradation  of  labor. 

Fearing  that  slavery  would  become  isolated  they 
sought  to  maintain  the  balance  of  power  in  the  Senate 
by  the  extension  of  slave  territory,  and  the  creation  of 
slave  States  which  their  population  and  resources  did 
not  warrant.  Nor  did  they  confine  themselves  to  the 
territorial  limits  of  the  United  States.  Already  had  the 
Government  purchased  for  them  the  territories  now 
forming  the  slave  States  of  Louisiana,  Arkansas,  Mis 
souri  and  Florida,  and  already  had  it  engaged  in  a  war 
with  a  sister  Kepublic  to  annex  and  open  to  them  the 
vast  State  of  Texas.  And  more  than  this,  the  Govern 
ment  underhandedly  favored  the  fillibustering  expedi- 


- 

THE   GREAT   REBELLION.  15 

tions  of  the  marauders,.  Lopez  and  Walker,  for  the  con 
quest  of  Cuba,  Lower  California  and  Central  America, 
that  they  might  be  annexed  to  the  Union  and  opened  to 
slavery.  "With  these,  Mexico,  and  the  Southern  States, 
the  Southern  dream  of  a  mighty  empire,  enabled  to 
secure  the  good  offices  and  favors  of  mercenary  and 
monarchical  Europe,  and  to  bid  defiance  to  Kepublican 
America,  arose  in  golden  visions  before  their  eyes,  and 
ambitious  men  were  willing  to  destroy  the  Government 
and  constitution  of  their  country,  and  wade  through  seas 
of  blood  to  power  and  position.  Yet  they  were  anxious 
to  remain  in  the  Union  and  enjoy  all  the  advantages  of 
it,  as  long  as  they  could  continue  to  control  its  councils, 
which  they  had  done  from  the  foundation  of  the  Govern 
ment. 

As  early  as  1820,  the  Missouri  Compromise  was  passed, 
which  was  the  first  and  most  respected  of  all.  In  ad 
mitting  Missouri  as  a  slave  State,  it  stipulated  that 
slavery  should  not  be  introduced  north  of  the  line  of 
thirty-six,  thirty  degrees  of  latitude,  its  southern  bound 
ary,  but  that  limit  so  long  accepted,  the  South  com 
plained  of,  and  Mr.  Douglas  introduced  a  bill  annulling 
the  same,  and  substituting  "  squatter  sovereignty,"  which 
drew  from  Congress  the  right  to  interfere  in  the  question 
of  slavery  in  the  territories.  The  South  soon  discovered 
that  the  superior  population  and  resources  of  the  North 
enabled  them  to  settle  the  territories  of  Kansas  and  Ne 
braska  with  their  hardy  workmen,  who  decreed  liberty 
to  the  land.  This  unexpected  turn  of  events,  which 
should  have  been  foreseen,  caused  them  to  change  their 
theory,  and  they  invoked  the  power  of  Congress  to  inter 
fere  in  the  slave  question  in  the  territories  against 
"  squatter  sovereignty,"  and  demanded  that  its  decision 
should  be  trampled  under  foot.  The  miserable  and  im 
becile  conduct  of  Presidents  Pierce  and  Buchanan  in 
permitting  a  civil  war  to  exist  in  Kansas  for  so  long  a 
period  without  making  any  effort  to  stay  it,  is  alas  too 
well  known  to  need  comment. 


• 

16  OUR  CAMPAIGNS. 

It  is  only  necessary  to  say  that  the  Southerners  de 
feated  in  their  trials  of  popular  vote,  force  of  arms  and 
congressional  legislation,  although  assisted  by  a  power 
ful  and  obedient  Administration,  turned  their  attention 
in  a  new  direction  and  obtained  a  decision  from  the  Su 
preme  Court  of  the  United  States — the  Dred  Scott  de 
cree.  In  the  preamble  of  this  celebrated  decision  of  the 
highest  judicial  power  of  the  Government,  there  is 
proclaimed  two  principles :  first,  that  there  is  no  differ 
ence  between  a  slave  and  any  other  kind  of  property ; 
secondly,  that  all  American  citizens  may  settle  every 
where  with  their  property.  With  the  right  of  property 
understood  in  this  wise  no  State  had  the  power  either  to 
abolish  slavery,  or  to  forbid  the  introduction  of  slaves, 
and,  therefore,  there  was  no  legal  power  to  prevent  a 
Southerner  from  settling  in  a  free  State  with  all  his  slaves. 
But  this  is  not  all  that  was  demanded.  The  subservient 
Administration  was  given  up  to  the  will  of  the  Southerners 
and  the  mails  ceased  to  carry  letters,  journals  and  books, 
which  excited  their  suspicion. 

In  1832,  under  the  leadership  of  John  C.  Calhoun,  the 
long  dreamed  of  vision  of  empire  that  had  haunted  the 
brain  of  their  ambitious  and  reckless  politicians,  first 
made  its  appearance  in  the  nullification  act  of  the  legis 
lature  of  South  Carolina,  but  that  stern  old  patriot  An 
drew  Jackson,  who  declared  that  "  The  Union  must  and 
shall  be  preserved,"  met  it  with  firm  resolution,  and  his 
demand  for  the  immediate  disbanding  of  the  State  troops 
nipped  it  in  the  bud.  From  that  time,  however,  the 
spirit  of  disunion  had  been  assiduously  disseminated  in 
the  South,  and  every  issue  that  had  arisen  between  the 
two  sections,  had  been  inet  by  them  with  the  threat  of 
secession.  The  Hall  of  tne  august  Senate  had  witnessed 
the  drawing  of  firearms,  and  its  sanctity  had  been  vio 
lated  by  brutal  assaults  upon  its  members,  and  threats 
were  freely  made  by  the  "  fire-eaters"  to  break  up  the 
sessions  of  Congress  in  blood.  Yet  the  North  submitted 
to  these  degradations  for  the  sake  of  peace,  and  bowed  the 


THE    GttEAT   REBELLION.  17 

Lead   to  the  demands  of  the  South  for  the  sake  of  the 
Union. 

At  last,  in  1860,  the  two  great  political  parties  met  to 
make  their  nominations  for  President  and  establish  their 
platforms.  The  disunionists  first  showed  their  treason 
by  betraying  their  party  and  breaking  up  its  convention, 
because  the  true  democrats  would  not  bow  their  heads 
to  their  will.  The  seceders  then  called  a  convention- 
and  nominated  John  C.  Breckenridge,  who  is  now  a 
leader  in  this  infamous  rebellion,  and  declared  that  the 
election  of  Mr.  Lincoln,  their  opponent,  would  be  fol 
lowed  by  the  dissolution  of  the  Union.  The  North 
heard  the  threat ;  if  they  had  submissively  yielded  to  it 
once  more,  all  dignity,  self-respect,  and  mental  liberty 
would  have  been  lost.  They  knew  the  consequence ; 
secession  was  rebellion,  rebellion  was  a  commercial 
crisis,  was  the  political  weakening  of  the  country,  and 
the  unsettling  of  many  fortunes.  It  was  the  loss  of  all 
Southern  trade,  the  loss  of  all  capital  invested  in  the 
South,  the  loss  of  all  debts  owed  by  the  South.  But  the 
great  spirit  of  the  North  that  had  bowed  so  often  to  the 
dictates  of  a  Southern  minority  for  the  sake  of  the  Union 
and  peace,  arose  in  its  majestic  dignity  and  proclaimed 
that  the  will  of  the  majority  should  be  expressed  regard 
less  of  threats  and  consequences. 

Prior  to  the  election  for  President,  the  Governor  of 
South  Carolina  had  recommended  both  .Houses  of  the 
Legislature  to  take  measures  in  advance  for  the  secession 
of  the  State  in  case  Mr.  Lincoln  should  be  elected;  and 
a  special  commission  was  nominated,  and  held  perma 
nent  session.  In  Texas,  Senator  Wigfall,  in  speaking  of 
Mr.  Breckenridge,  did  not  hesitate  to  say,  "  If  any  other 
candidate  is  elected,  look  for  stormy  weather.  There 
may  be  a  confederation,  indeed,  but  it  will  not  number 
more  than  thirty-three  States."  Senators  Jefferson  Davis 
of  Mississippi,  and  Judah  P.  Benjamin  of  Louisiana, 
(Secretary  of  War  of  the  Confederate  States,)  held  no 
less  explicit  language,  announcing  that  at  the  first  elec- 


18  OUR    CAMPAIGNS. 

toral  defeat  of  the  South,  it  would  set  about  forming  a 
separate  confederation,  long  since  demanded  by  its  true 
interests.  It  was  even  freely  proclaimed  through  their 
papers,  "  that  Mr.  Lincoln  should  not  be  inaugurated  if 
elected." 

The  Presidential  election  took  place  on  the  6th  of  No 
vember,  1860,  and  resulted  in  the  choice  of  Abraham 
Lincoln;  Messrs.  Bell  and  Douglas,  who  were  equally 
exceptionable  to  the  secessionists,  receiving  a  joint  vote 
in  almost  all  the  Southern  States,  larger  than  that  cast 
for  Mr.  Breckenridge,  who  was  the  embodiment  of  the 
secession  principles.  Yet  in  the  face  of  this  direct  re 
fusal  of  the  majority  of  the  southerners  to  endorse  Mr. 
Breckinridge  and  the  principles  he  represented,  the  un 
principled  and  ambitious  leaders  set  diligently  to  work 
to  accomplish  their  long  cherished  and  diabolical  design 
of  destroying  the  Government  of  their  fathers,  that  they 
might  rise  to  power  and  position.  By  resolutions  of  their 
Legislatures,  and  unauthorized  conventions,  studious 
misrepresentations  of  their  press,  and  inflammatory  ap 
peals  to  the  masses  they  at  last  succeeded  in  "firing  the 
Southern  heart,"  and  preparing  it  for  the  awful  crime  of 
fratricide. 

On  the  20th  of  December,  a  few  days  after  the  result 
of  the  election  was  known,  the  Legislature  of  South  Car 
olina,  a  State  with  a  white  population  of  two  hundred 
and  seventy-six  thousand,  or  about  half  that  of  the  city 
of  Philadelphia,  passed  Ian  ordinance  of  secession,  and 
declared  herself  a  free  and  sovereign  State.  She  did  in 
fact  the  same  thing  in  1832,  but  the  firm  and  resolute 
Andrew  Jackson,  with  a  stroke  of  the  pen  awed  into 
submission  and  silence  all.  Would  to  God  for  one 
month's  rule  of  the  old  patriot  and  hero  in  1860.  This  ac 
tion  of  South  Carolina  produced  a  deep  sensation  through 
out  all  sections  of  the  country,  and  the  people  of  the 
North  could  not  realize  the  earnestness  of  the  atrocious 
deed. 

But  in  rapid  succession  followed  other  acts,  that  too 


THE    GREAT    REBELLION.  19 

plainly  showed  that  madness  had  usurped  the  throne  of 
reason,  and  that  "those  whom  the  Gods  wish  to  destroy 
they  first  make  mad." 

On  the  3d  of  January,  1861,  Forts  Pulaski  and  Jack 
son,  in  the  harbor  of  Savannah,  were  taken  possession  of 
by  State  troops,  by  order  of  the  Governor  of  Georgia, 
under  the  pretext  of  preventing  them  from  falling  into 
the  hands  of  mobs ! 

On  the  9th,  the  State  Convention  of  Mississippi  passed 
an  ordinance  of  secession  by  a  vote  of  eighty-four  to 
fifteen.  * 

On  the  llth,  the  State  Convention  of  Alabama  passed 
an  ordinance  of  secession  by  a  vote  of  sixty -one  to  thirty - 
nine,  and  invited  the  other  slaveholding  States  to  send 
delegates  to  a  Convention  to  be  held  on  the  4th  day  of 
February,  in  Montgomery,  Alabama. 

Soon  after  all  the  United  States  forts  and  arsenals 
along  the  Atlantic  and  Gulf  coast  and  on  the  Mississippi 
river,  with  the  mints,  custom-houses  and  other  Federal 
buildings  in  the  South  were  seized.  Batteries  were 
erected  on  the  Mississippi  river,  and  its  navigation  ob 
structed.  Beside  the  above  States,  Florida,  Georgia, 
Louisiana  and  Texas  seceded. 

On  the  4th,  a  Convention  of  the  seceded  States  con 
vened  at  Montgomery,  Alabama,  and  elected  Powell 
Cobb,  the  late  Secretary  of  the  Treasury,  President. 

On. the  9th,  the  Southern  Congress,  at  Montgomery, 
Alabama,  elected  Jefferson  Davis  of  Mississippi,  Presi 
dent,  and  Alexander  II.  Stephens  of  Georgia,  Vice-Presi 
dent  of  the  Southern  Confederacy  for  one  year.  The 
Constitution  of  the  United  States,  with  amendments,  was 
adopted. 

On  the  16th,  Mr.  Davis,  at  Montgomery,  declared  in  a 
speech,  that  the  South  will  hold  her  own,  and  force  all 
who  oppose  them,  "to  smell  Southern  powder  and  feel 
Southern  steel." 

During  this  time,  a  little  over  two  months  only,  the 
most  bitter  feeling  of  hatred  and  animosity  was  engen- 


20  OUR   CAMPAIGNS. 

dered  against  Northerners  residing  in  the  South,  and 
school  teachers  and  mistresses  were  shipped  north, 
whipped,  tarred  and  feathered,  or  hung,  according  to  the 
whims  or  passions  of  the  mobs.  Merchants  were  robbed, 
honest  men,  who  had  resided  among  them  for  years,  were 
notified  to  leave  without  time  to  collect  their  debts  or 
dispose  of  their  property.  Traders  on  the  Mississippi 
were  driven  from  their  barges  by  lawless  mobs,  their 
goods  plundered  and  their  lives  jeopardized.  •  Yet, 
while  the  military  force  of  the  United  States  could  be 
used  to  drive  squatters  from  their  cabins  on  the  Govern 
ment  lands  in  Kansas  in  the  middle  of  winter,  the  right 
of  the  Government  to  use  it  to  protect  its  own  property, 
sustain  the  supremacy  of  its  laws,  and  suppress  insurrec 
tion,  was  denied.  Such  is  the  deplorable  course  seces 
sion  had  run  during  the  last  days  of  Mr.  Buchanan's 
Administration,  and  so  far  from  raising  his  voice  or  hand 
to  save  our  beloved  Union  from  destruction,  he  en 
couraged  them  in  their  treason  by  his  imbecility  and 
silent  acquisition,  until  at  last,  in  a  message  to  Congress, 
he  actually  denied  the  power  of  the  Government  under 
the  Constitution  to  coerce  the  seceding  States — i.  e.,  to 
maintain  the  supremacy  of  its  own  laws. 

And  what  was  his  Cabinet  ?  The  hot-bed  of  treason 
and  secession !  On  the  8th  of  January,  Jacob  Thompson 
of  Misssissippi,  resigned  his  position  as  Secretary  of  the 
Interior,  because  aid  was  granted  to  Major  Anderson,  at 
Fort  Sumter.  The  next  day  the  Constitution,  the  Gov 
ernment  organ  at  Washington,  attacked  Secretary  Holt, 
for  sending  aid  to  Major  Anderson,  and  defended  Mr. 
Thompson  for  resigning,  and  the  United  States  sub- 
treasurer  refused  to  pay  the  salaries  to  Major  Anderson 
and  his  command.  Ho  well  Cobb,  the  Secretary  of  the 
Treasury  resigned,  and  was  chosen  President  of  the  Con 
vention  of  the  seceding  States,  convened  at  Montgomery, 
Alabama.  John  B.  Floyd  of  Virginia,  Secretary  of  War, 
after  stripping  the  arsenals  of  the  Northern  States  of 
their  arms,  ordnance,  and  ammunition,  colleagued  with 


THE   GREAT   REBELLION".  21 

Russell,  Bailey,  and  others  in  stealing  over  $6,000,000 
worth  of  trust  bonds,  resigned,  and  on  the  29th  of  Feb 
ruary,  the  Grand  Jury  of  the  District  of  Columbia  pre 
sented  charges  against  him  for  mal- administration  in 
office,  and  conspiring  against  the  Government.  And 
even  Isaac  Toucey  of  Connecticut,  Secretary  of  the  Navy, 
had  ordered  to  foreign  stations  all  the  available  vessels 
of  the  navy,  leaving  at  home  only  the  ships  in  ordinary. 

Can  any  one  suppose  that  these  chosen  counsellors  of 
the  President,  who  daily  debated  at  the  meetings  of  the 
Cabinet  the  great  questions  that  had  agitated  the  country 
for  so  long  a  time,  had  succeeded  in  deluding  Mr.  Buch 
anan  in  regard  to  their  real  views  and  intentions  ?  Can 
any  one  suppose  that  the  leading  statesmen  of  the  South 
who  always  had  free  access  to  the  White  House,  and  were 
welcomed  to  the  hospitalities  of  the  President,  could  so 
utterly  deceive  him  in  regard  to  their  designs  ?  Could 
it  be  possible  that  a  man  of  the  ability  of  Mr.  Buchanan, 
with  his  familiarity  with  the  politics  of  the  country,  and 
long  intercourse  with  the  leading  men  of  the  nation, 
could  have  been  blinded  as  to  the  intentions  of  the  arch- 
traitors  and  "  fire-eaters"  of  the  South  ?  No  !  It  requires 
too  much  credulity  and  charity  to  answer  in  the  nega 
tive.  But  let  us  put  the  most  charitable  construction 
on  his  actions  that  we  can,  and  what  shall  we  say  of 
them  ?  That  the  poor  old  dotard  was  in  the  traces  and 
could  not  kick  out ;  that  he  was  bound  hand  and  foot  and 
had  not  the  strength  ¥to  release  himself,  and  that  he 
quietly  acquiesced  in  their  treasonable  designs,  hoping 
that  the  Government  would  be  reconstructed  upon  a 
firmer  basis  by  those  who  had  treason  in  their  hearts. 
The  great  principle  of  popular  suffrage  was  to  be  vio 
lated,  the  broad  arena  stretching  to  the  Pacific,  and  far 
to  the  south  was  to  be  given  up  to  human  bondage. 
The  African  slave  trade,  with  all  its  loathsome  horrors, 
was  to  be  re-opened,  and  for  what  ?  To  preserve  a  dis 
honorable  peace,  that  soon  would  be  broken. 

But,  thank  God,  the  Administration  of  Mr.  Buchanan 


22  OUR   CAMPAIGNS. 

was  coining  to  a  close,  and  through  the  dark  clouds  that 
empaled  the  Nation,  a  bright  ray  of  hope  shone  upon  the 
horizon  as  Abraham  Lincoln  appeared  upon  the  ship  of 
state  and  seized  the  helm. 

The  nation  breathed  freer,  and  patriots  felt  our  Gov 
ernment  was  a  reality,  and  not  a  rope  of  sand. 


CHAPTEK  II. 

SUMTER  AND  THE  FLAG  FIRED  ON— THE  AIM  AND  DESIGN  OF  THE 
LEADERS  OF  THE  REBELLION — JUSTIFICATION  OF  THE  COURSE 
OF  PRESIDENT  LINCOLN. 

No  President  ever  assumed  the  cares  of  State  under 
more  inauspicious  circumstances  than  Mr.  Lincoln  did. 
Seven  States  had  already  seceded  from  the  Union  and 
were  marshalling  their  armies  to  maintain  their  independ 
ence  at  the  point  of  the  bayonet,  and  the  arch-traitors 
were  using  all  their  insidious  wiles  to  seduce  the  remain 
ing  slave  States  from  their  allegiance  to  the  Federal 
Government.  From  the  Forum,  Pulpit  and  Press  was 
proclaimed  the  foulest  treason,  and  the  boast  made  that 
the  "  Stars  and  Bars"  would  soon  float  in  triumph  over  the 
National  Capitol.  A  large  portion  of  the  army  had  been 
surrendered  by  General  Twiggs,  in  Texas,  the  remainder 
of  it  was  on  the  Pacific  coast,  or  scattered  through  the 
Territories  of  Utah  and  New  Mexico,  or  stationed  on 
our  distant  frontiers,  while  six  hundred  men  were  the 
entire  available  force  which  the  Government  was  able  to 
concentrate  at  Washington  to  secure  the  peaceful  inau 
guration  of  the  President.  All  the  available  vessels  of 
the  navy  were  stationed  in  distant  seas.  Many  of  the 
purest  patriots  despaired  of  the  Republic,  foreign  nations 
proclaimed  its  doom  was  sealed,  and  "  hope  for  a  season 
bade  the  world  farewell,"  while  the  hallowed  light  of 
Liberty  paled  before  the  gathering  storm.  But  the 


SUMTER  AXD   THE   FtAG   FIRED   ON.  23 

steadfast  chief  heeded  not  the  storm  that  swept  across  the 
land,  but  serene,  firm  and  immovable,  held  aloft  the 
lamp  of  hope,  while  he  gathered  the  scattered  strength 
of  the  Nation  and  matured  his  plans  for  its  preservation. 

On  the  llth  of  April,  Leroy  P.  Walker,  rebel  Secre 
tary  of  War,  demanded  the  surrender  of  Fort  Sumter,  to 
which  Major  Anderson  replied,  that  his  sense  of  honor 
and  his  obligations  to  the  Government  prevented  a  com-, 
pliance.  The  next  morning  at  two  o'clock  the  rebel 
General  Beauregard  sent  word  to  Major  Anderson  that 
if  he  would  evacuate,  he  would  not  be  fired  upon,  to 
which  the  Major  replied,  that,  if  not  otherwise  ordered 
or  provisioned,  he  would  be  forced  to  evacuate  by  noon 
of  the  15th  inst.  But  the  peaceful  possession  of  the 
fort  was  not  what  the  traitors  desired;  they  wanted 
blood  "  to  fire  the  Southern  heart." 

In  two  hours  afterwards,  the  batteries  and  fortifica 
tions  in  Charleston  harbor,  seventeen  in  number,  opened 
fire  upon  the  fort,  which  was  returned  by  Major  Ander 
son,  and  kept  up  on  both  sides  all  day  without  harm  on 
either  side,  excepting  the  dismounting  of  two  of  Ander 
son's  guns.  A  slow  fire  was  kept  up  all  night,  and  re 
sumed  with  great  vigor  early  the  next  morning.  At 
eight  A.  M.,  the  officers'  quarters  took  fire  from  a  shell. 
Soon  after  a  number  of  hand  grenades  and  shells  caught 
fire  and  exploded  within  the  fort.  At  twelve  o'clock,  the 
whole  roof  of  the  barracks  were  in  flames,  and  the  maga 
zine  being  in  great  danger,  ninety  barrels  of  gunpowder 
were  taken  out  and  thrown  into  the  sea.  The  heat, 
smoke,  and  galling  fire  gradually  exhausted  the  garri 
son,  and  nearly  suffocated  them.  At  one  P.  M.,  after 
sustaining  an  attack  of  thirty-three  hours,  the  fort  was 
surrendered,  the  garrison  being  permitted  to  carry  away 
the  flag  and  all  company  arms  and  private  property.  A 
salute  of  fifty  guns  was  fired,  and  the  glorious  old  flag 
was  hauled  down,  and  the  emblem  of  liberty  and  hope 
of  the  down-trodden  and  oppressed  of  the  world  gave 
place  to  the  flag  of  treason. 


24  OUR   CAMPAIGNS. 

The  greatest  crime  that  was  ever  committed  against 
liberty  and  mankind  was  now  consummated.  Heaven 
itself  revolted  at  the  act,  and  sent  the  hissing  missiles 
of  death  harmlessly  on  their  course.  The  North  was 
stupefied,  and  stood  aghast  at  the  enormity  of  the  crime, 
being  unable  to  realize  that  the  flag  of  such  glorious 
memories  should  have  been  fired  upon  by  those  whom 
they  looked  upon  as  brothers,  and  whom  they  supposed 
would  have  given  the  best  blood  of  their  hearts  to  save 
from  dishonor. 

But  let  us  consider  for  one  moment  what  was  the  aim 
and  design  of  the  rebel  leaders.  Already  a  confederate 
flag  of  fifteen  stars,  one  star  for  each  slave  State,  inclusive 
of  Delaware  and  Maryland,  had  been  flung  to  the  breeze, 
and  it  was  solemnly  proclaimed  that  the  Confederacy 
would  never  yield  any  portion  of  the  territory  claimed. 
This  virtually,  and  in  fact,  included  Washington.  On 
the  fatal  12th  of  April,  1861,  while  the  tidings  of  the 
assault  on  Sumter  were  travelling  over  the  wires,  the 
Rebel  Secretary  of  War,  in  the  presence  of  Jefferson 
Davis  and  his  colleagues,  and  of  five  thousand  hearers, 
declared  that  before  the  end  of  May  "the  flag  which  now 
flaunted  the  breeze  would  float  over  the  dome  of  the 
Capitol  at  Washington." 

Iri  pursuance  of  this  original  plan  of  the  leaders  of  the 
reballion,  the  capture  of  Washington  has  been  continu 
ally  had  in  view,  not  merely  for  the  sake  of  its  public 
buildings,  as  the  capital  of  the  Confederacy,  but  as  the 
necessary  preliminary  to  the  absorption  of  the  Border 
States,  and  for  the  moral  effect  in  the  eyes  of  Europe  of 
possessing  the  metropolis  of  the  Union.  In  speaking  of 
this  matter,  the  Hon.  Edward  Everett,  in  his  address  at 
the  consecration  of  the  National  Cemetery,  at  Gettysburg, 
says:  "the  occupation  of  the  National  Capital,  with  the 
seizure  of  the  public  archives  and  of  the  treaties  with 
foreign  powers  was  an  essential  feature.  This  was  in 
substance,  within  my  personal  knowledge,  admitted,  in 
the  winter  of  1860-61,  by  one  of  the  most  influential 


THE   AIM   AND   DESIGN   OF   THE   REBEL   LEADERS.     25 

leaders  of  the  rebellion,  and  it  was  fondly  thought  that 
this  object  could  be  effected  by  a  bold  and  sudden  move 
ment  on  the  4th  of  March,  1861.  There  is  abundant 
proof  also,  that  a  darker  project  was  contemplated,  if  not 
by  the  responsible  chiefs  of  the  rebellion,  yet  by  name 
less  ruffians,  willing  to  play  a  subsidiary  and  murderous 
part  in  the  treasonable  drama.  It  was  accordingly 
maintained  by  the  rebel  emissaries  abroad,  in  the  circles 
to  which  they  found  access,  that  the  new  American 
minister  ought  not,  when  he  arrived,  to  be  received  as 
the  envoy  of  the  United  States,  inasmuch  as  before  that 
time  Washington  would  be  captured,  and  the  Capital  of 
the  Nation,  and  the  archives  and  muniments  of  the  Gov 
ernment  would  be  in  the  possession  of  the  Confederates." 

And  what  is  secession  but  rebellion  ?  Rebellion,  like 
any  other  revolutionary  act,  may  be  morally  justified  by 
the  extremity  of  oppression.  In  monarchical  govern 
ments  revolution  is  frequently  justifiable,  as  the  cart 
ridge-box  is  the  only  means  by  which  the  popular 
opinion  can  be  expressed.  But.  in  our  country  the  solu 
tion  of  all  our  political  differences  was  wisely  left  to  the 
decision  of  the  ballot-box,  which  had  heretofore  served 
.us  upon  every  occasion,  and  had  ever  been  respected. 

Andrew  Jackson,  in  his  Proclamation  against  the  Nul 
lification  Act,  in  December,  1832,  says:  "And  then  add, 
if  you  can,  without  horror  and  remorse,  this  happy  Union 
we  will  dissolve ;  this  picture  of  peace  and  prosperity 
we  will  deface ;  this  free  intercourse  we  will  interrupt ; 
these  fertile  fields  we  will  deluge  with  blood ;  the  pro 
tection  of  that  glorious  flag  we  renounce ;  the  very  name 
of  Americans  we  discard.  And  for  what,  mistaken  men, 
for  what  do  you  throw  away  these  inestimable  blessings? 
For  what  would  you  exchange  your  share  in  the  advan 
tages  and  honor  of  the  Union  ?  In  the  dream  of  sepa 
rate  independence — a  dream  interrupted  by  bloody  con 
flicts  with  your  neighbors,  and  a  vile  dependency  on  a 
foreign  power."  ^*  *  *  "Its  destroyers  you  cannot 
be.  You  may  disturb  its  peace — you  may  interrupt  the 


26  OUR   CAMPAIGNS. 

course  of  its  prosperity — you  may  cloud  its  reputation 
for  stability,  but  its  tranquillity  will  be  restored,  its 
prosperity  will  return,  and  the  stain  upon  its  national 
character  will  be  transferred  and  remain  an  eternal  blot 
on  the  memory  of  those  who  caused  the  disorder." 

"Having  the  fullest  confidence  in  the  justness  of  the 
legal  and  constitutional  opinions  of  my  duties,  which  has 
been  expressed,  I  rely,  with  equal  confidence,  on  your 
undivided  support  in  my  determination  to  execute  the 
laws,  to  preserve  the  Union  by  all  constitutional  means, 
to  arrest,  if  possible,  by  moderate  but  firm  measures,  the 
necessity  of  a  recourse  to  force  ;  and,  if  it  be  the  will  of 
Heaven,  that  the  recurrence  of  its  primeval  curse  on  man 
for  the  shedding  of  a  brother's  blood  should  fall  upon 
our  land,  that  it  be  not  called  down  by  any  offensive  act 
on  the  part  of  the  United  States." 

Such  was  the  language  of  that  sterling  patriot  when 
treason  first  raised  its  head  in  South  Carolina. 

Was  Mr.  Lincoln  justified  in  his  determination  to 
maintain  the  Union  at  all  hazards,  or  should  he  have 
submitted  peaceably  to  its  dissolution  ?  A  peaceable  dis 
solution  was  impossible,  except  by  the  surrender  of  the 
National  Capital  and  the  border  States  of  Delaware, 
Maryland,  Kentucky,  Tennessee,  and  Missonri,  all  of 
which  at  the  late  election  had  gone  against  the  South  by 
casting  their  electoral  votes  for  Mr.  Bell,  excepting  Mis 
souri,  which  went  for  Mr.  Douglas.  And  more  than 
this,  all  of  them  had  sent  delegates  to  meet  those  from 
the  Northern  States  in  a  peace  conference,  and  showed 
unmistakably  their  attachment  to  the  Union.  Delaware 
and  Maryland  refused  to  secede,  Virginia  elected 
Union  delegates  to  the  State  Convention  and  refused 
to  adopt  the  rebel  constitution.  Kentucky  subsequently 
elected  nine  Union  members  of  Congress  and  one  seces 
sion,  Tennessee  had  elected  a  majority  of  Union  dele 
gates  to  a  State  convention  and  refused  to  hold  a  con 
vention,  and  Missouri  subsequently  elected  Union  dele 
gates  to  its  State  convention.  Could  the  Government 


JUSTIFICATION   OF   PRESIDENT   LINCOLN.  27 

withdraw  its  protection  and  support  from  the  union-loving 
people  of  those  States  and  surrender  its  Capital  to 
traitors  who  would  soon  become  a  foreign  and  hostile 
nation  ?  Could  the  Government  voluntarily  surrender 
the  navigation  of  the  Mississippi  river,  the  great  out 
let  of  the  Western  States  to  the  Gulf  of  Mexico? 
Could  a  great  Nation  submit  to  its  political  death  and 
destruction  without  an  effort  for  self-preservation  ?  No, 
God  forbid  it,  yet  Americans  have  argued  these  ques 
tions  in  the  affirmative,  but  only  those  who  were  deceived 
themselves,  or  were  trying  to  deceive  others.  But  Mr. 
Lincoln,  the  chosen  of  the,  people,  the  instrument  of  God, 
was  inspired  with  the  knowledge  that  he  held  not  only 
the  destiny  of  the  country,  but  of  liberty  throughout  the 
world  in  his  hand,  and  rose  equal  to  the  emergency. 

Throughout  his  inaugural  address,  he  is  firm,  without 
being  provoking.  The  limits  of  concession  are  clearly 
marked  out,  and  a  conciliatory  spirit  is  maintained.  The 
President,  while  manifesting  the  most  pacific  disposition, 
distinctly  declares  he  will  abandon  none  of  the  rights  of 
the  Government,  but  will  leave  to  others  the  odium  of 
aggression.  He  declares  secession  is  unconstitutional, 
and  nothing  can  induce  him  to  consent  to  the  destruc 
tion  of  the  Union.  That  he  will  endeavor  to  shun  a  war, 
that  he  will  not  be  the  aggressor,  but  that  he  will  fulfill 
the  duty  of  preserving  federal  property  and  collect  fede 
ral  taxes  in  the  South.  "  In  your  hands,"  says  Mr.  Lin 
coln,  "  my  dissatisfied  fellow-citizens,  in  yours  and  not 
mine,  is  found  the  terrible  question  of  civil  war.  The 
Government  will  not  attack  you ;  you  will  have  no  con 
flict,  if  you  are  not  the  aggressors.  You  have  not,  on 
your  part,  an  oath  registered  in  heaven  to  destroy  the 
Government,  whilst  I,  on  my  side,  am  about  to  take  the 
most  solemn  oath  to  maintain,  to  protect  and  defend  it." 

If  Mr.  Lincoln  had  acted  otherwise  than  he  did,  he 
would  have  been  derelict  in  his  duty  to  his  God,  his 
country  and  mankind,  and  when  the  intelligence  of  the 
assault  upon  Fort  Sumter  was  received,  the  issuing  of  his 


28  OUR   CAMPAIGNS. 

proclamation  calling  for  seventy-five  thousand  volunteers 
to  maintain  the  laws  of  the  United  States  over  the  seced 
ing  States,  and  admonishing  the  rebels  to  lay  down  their 
arms  and  quietly  submit  to  the  laws  within  twenty  days, 
was  but  the  response  of  the  great  American  heart.  And 
America's  reply  to  the  proclamation  was  such  an  uprising 
of  free  men  as  the  world  never  witnessed  before.  Where 
ever  it  was  received,  it  produced  the  wildest  excitement 
and  enthusiasm,  the  booming  gun,  the  pealing  bell,  and 
rattling  drum,  announced  it  throughout  the  land,  until 
from  the  broad  Atlantic  it  rolled  across  the  plains  and 
echoed  over  the  snow-clad  peaks  to  the  Pacific. 


CHAPTEK  III. 

WAR  FOR  THE  UNION — PENNSYLVANIA'S  RESPONSE — ORGANIZA 
TION  OF  THE  RESERVES — COLONELS  MANN'S,  MARSH'S,  AND 
DE  KORPONAY'S  REGIMENTS  —  CAMP  WASHINGTON  —  QUAINT 
NAMES — WHISKEY  IN  A  MUSKET  BARREL — GETTING  THE  COUN 
TERSIGN. 

IN  Philadelphia  business  was  suspended,  flags  were 
thrown  to  the  breeze  in  every  street,  rendezvous  were 
opened  in  every  section,  and  placards  calling  for  volun 
teers,  covered  the  walls  of  every  corner.  Eecruiting 
parties  traversed  the  city  in  every  direction,  followed  by 
crowds  of  men  eager  to  enroll  their  names,  the  armories 
of  the  volunteer  companies  were  crowded  to  overflowing 
^with  men  drilling  night  and  day,  the  public  parks  of  the 
'city  were  given  up  for  the  same  purpose,  and  the  quietude 
of  the  Sabbath  was  forgotten  amidst  the  preparation  for 
war.  The  citizens  furnished  armories  free  of  rent,  and 
such  of  the  volunteers  as  could  not  support  themselves 
without  work  were  fed  on  the  bountiful  supply  of  the 
neighborhood.  The  lady  congregations  of  the  different 
churches  set  themselves  diligently  to  work  supplying 


PENNSYLVANIA'S  RESPONSE.  29 

the  volunteers  with  shirts;  drawers,  socks  and  other 
clothing  and  contributions  of  all  sorts  were  freely  given. 
The  generous  impulses  of  the  heart  of  a  nation  never 
flowed  freer.  The  soldiers  rode  free  on  the  cars,  and 
went  free  to  all  places  of  amusement.  The  only  trouble 
the  men  had  was  to  find  companies  that  were  sure  of  ac 
ceptance,  and  some  who  had  good  reputations  numbered 
two  hundred  and  fifty  and  three  hundred  men,  while  all 
were  rapidly  filling  up.  In  fact  twenty  thousand  men 
could  have  been  raised  in  the  city  in  one  week. 

The  quota  assigned  to  Pennsylvania  was  fourteen  regi 
ments,  and  in  four  -days  after  the  call  six  hundred  men — 
the  first  .to  arrive  for  its  defence — were  placed  in  the  Na 
tional  Capitol,  and  ten  days  later  twenty-five  regiments 
were  organized  and  put  in  the  field,  eleven  more  being 
furnished  by  the  State  than  called  for.  In  fact,  such  was 
the  patriotic  ardor  of  the  people,  that  the  Adjutant-Gene 
ral  of  the  State,  in  his  Annual  Eeport  for  1861,  states, 
that  the  services  of  about  thirty  additional  regiments  had 
to  be  refused,  making  in  all  more  than  two -thirds  of  the 
requisition  of  the  President.  Eight  of  these  regiments 
were  from  Philadelphia,  but  there  were  scores  of  full 
companies  that  were  not  accepted.  The  second  call  for 
volunteers  .was  made  upon  the  State  in  May.  The 
allotted  share  to  Pennsylvania  was  ten  regiments ;  but 
the  General  Government  would  hot  allow  these  to  be 
raised,  but  simply  credited  the  State  with  them,  as  she 
had  already  furnished  more  than  her  two  quotas. 

The  extra  session  of  the  Legislature  of  Pennsylvania 
convened  on  the  30th  day  of  April,  in  pursuance  of  the 
proclamation  of  the  Governor,  fully  appreciating  the 
gigantic  task  the  North  had  before  them,  wisely  and 
patriotically  resolved,  in  accordance  with  Governor  Cur- 
tin's  recommendation,  to  organize,  arm,  equip  and  dis 
cipline  a  division  to  be  called  the  "  Reserve  Volunteer 
Corps  of  the  Commonwealth,"  and  to  be  composed  of 
thirteen  regiments  of  infantry,  one  regiment  of  cavalry, 
and  one  regiment  of  light  artillery,  to  be  held  in  readi- 


30  CUE   CAMPAIGNS. 

ness  to  obey  any  requisition  the  President  might  make 
on  the  State  for  troops.  In  organizing  this  division,  the 
conception  of  which  originated  with  the  Governor,  the 
greatest  difficulty  he  experienced  was,  not  in  finding 
officers  and  men  to  fill  it,  but  to  select  between  the 
numerous  applicants  who  beset  him  night  and  day,  not 
only  in  the  executive  chamber  and  public  streets  of  the 
Capital,  but  even  in  his  bed  room.  His  Excellency 
having  resolved  that  the  division  should -be  a  true  type 
of  Pennsylvanians,  proportioned  it  among  the  different 
counties,  so  that  every  township  should  be  represented 
in  it. 

Among  the  regiments  organized  in  Philadelphia,  at 
that  time,  were  those  known  as  Mann's,  March's,  and 
De  Korponay's,  from  the  first  of  which  eight  companies 
were  accepted,  from  the  second  seven,  and  from  the  third 
five.  All  these  were  mustered  into  the  State  service 
about  the  latter  part  of  May,  by  Captain  Henry  J.  Biddle, 
Assistant  Adjutant-General  of  the  Division,  at  the  Girard 
House,  where  the  men  went  through  the  most  severe 
medical  examination  by  the  surgeons,  who  required  every 
man  to  strip,  and  .rejected  all  who  had  the  least  blemish 
or  defect.  "  Never,"  said  Dr.  Henry  H.  Smith,  the  Sur 
geon-General  of  the  State,  "  were  a  finer  formed  or  more 
hardy  body  of  men  collected  together  in  on£  division." 

Gabriel  De  Korponay  commenced  the  organization  of 
his  regiment  about  the  middle  of  April,  and  among  the 
captains  who  joined  with  him  were  George  A.  Wood 
ward,  "Pennsylvania  Rifles;"  J.  Orr  Finnie,  "Scotch 
Rifles;"  E.  M.  Woodward,  "Taggart  Guards;"  P.  I. 
Smith,  "Consolidation  Guards;"  and  I.  W.  Kimble, 
"Hatborough  Guards."  These  captains  were  selected 
by  the  Governor  from  DeKorponay's  regiment. 

Wm.  B.  Mann  commenced  the  organization  of  his 
regiment  about  the  same  time,  and  the  companies  chosen 
by  the  Governor  were  Captains  P.  McDonough,  "  Gover 
nor's  Rangers;"  James  K.  Byrne,  "Hibernia  Target 
Company;"  R.  Ellis,  "Governor's  Rangers;"  T.  Bring- 


31 

hurst,  "Governors  Guards;"  T.  Mealey,  "Independent 
Rangers ;"  William  Knox,  "  Constitutional  Rangers ;" 
Robert  McClure,  "Quaker  City  Guards;"  and  Wm. 
S.  Thompson,  "  Montgomery  Guards,"  (of  Bristol,  Fa.) 
All  these  companies  were  soon  filled  up  to  the  maxi 
mum  number,  but  the  men  were  in  such  a  feverish 
state  of  excitement  for  fear  they  would  not  be  mus 
tered  in,  that  difficulty  was  experienced  in  inducing 
them  to  stay  long  with  any  company  that  appeared  to 
hang  fire.  Thus,  after  a  few  days  recruiting,  most  of 
them  had  the  necessary  number  of  men,  but  after  they 
had  drilled  awhile,  they  left  to  join  other  companies 
that  they  supposed  were  more  likely  to  be  accepted. 
But  their  places  were  readily  filled  by  others  who  came 
from  other  companies  under  the  same  impression.  ' 
Almost  all  the  soldiers  were  supplied  with  flannel  shirts 
and  other  articles  of  clothing  by  the  congregations  of 
the  different  churches;  most  prominent  among  which  in 
their  liberality  was  patriotic  Old  Christ  Church,  which 
distributed  no  less  than  four  thousand  five  hundred  and 
seventy-two  articles  of  clothing,  most  of  which  were 
made  by  the  ladies  of  the  church. 

On  the  29th  of  May,  the  seven  Philadelphia  companies 
of  Colonel  Mann's  regiment  left  the  city  for  Camp  Wash 
ington,  Easton,  Pa.,  where  they  arrived  during  the  after 
noon.  Prior  to  their  departure  they  marched  to  the 
residence  of  the  colonel  at  the  corner  of  Fifth  and  Green 
streets,  where  they  were  presented  with  a  magnificent 
and  richly  trimmed  silk  flag  by  a  number  of  ladies,  the 
presentation  being  made  by  Daniel  Dougherty,  Esq. 

On  the  morning  of  the  30th,  the  four  Philadelphia 
companies  of  Colonel  De  Korponay's  regiment,  with  the 
"  Ontario  Guards,"  Captain  Horatio  G.  Sickel,  formed  on 
Broad  street  near  Green,  and  under  the  command  of 
Captain  Sickel,  marched  to  Master  and  America  streets, 
where  they  took  a  special  train  on  the  North  Pennsylva 
nia  Railroad,  for  Easton,  at  which  place  they  arrived 
during  *he  afternoon,  aud  marched  out  to  camp ;  quarters 


32  OUR   CAMPAIGNS. 

were  assigned  them  to  the  right  of  Colonel  Mann's  regi 
ment. 

The  camp  was  on  the  Fair  Grounds  of  the  Farmers' 
and  Mechanics'  Institute,  which  covered  about  thirty- 
five  acres,  situated  on  a  level  elevation  about  one  and 
a -half  miles  west  of  Easton,  and  three-quarters  of  a  mile 
north  of  the  Lehigh  river,  in  Northampton  county.  On 
the  east  and  north  sides  of  the  enclosure  were  long  rows 
of  bunk  rooms,  three  of  which  were  assigned  to  each 
company.  In  front  of  each  company's  quarters  were 
situated  the  kitchens,  facing  inward,  and  in  their  rear 
were  the  officers'  quarters  facing  outwards.  To  the 
west,  occupying  about  two-thirds  of  the  enclosure,  was 
the  race  course,  and  in  the  centre  was  situated  the 
large  and  capacious  Fair  buildings  of  imposing  appear 
ance  and  equal  to  any  of  its  kind  in  the  State.  From 
its  roof  rose  a  large  and  stately  dome,  from  the  balcony 
of  which  was  presented  a  magnificent  view  of  the  sur 
rounding  country.  To  the  north,  far  in  the  distance,  lie 
the  Kittatinny  or  Blue  Ridge  mountains,  pierced  on  the 
right  by  the  Delaware  Water  Gap,  in  the  centre  by  the 
Wind  Gap,  and  on  the  left  by  the  Lehigh  Water  Gap. 
The  intervening  country  is  interspersed  with  rolling  hills 
and  gentle  valleys,  farm  houses,  and  villages  with  their 
tapering  spires,  the  most  prominent  of  which  are  the 
Moravian  towns  of  Bethlehem  and  Nazareth.  On  the 
south,  from  the  Lehigh,  the  country  gradually  rises  for 
the  distance  of  two  miles,  where  it  is  shut  in  by  the 
lesser  spurs  of  the  Blue  Kidge.  On  the  east  rolls  the 
broad  Delaware,  and  beyond  it  stretches  in  the  distance 
the  rolling  country  of  New  Jersey. 

The  men  immediately  upon  their  arrival  were  fur 
nished  with  tincups,  plates,  spoons,  knives  and  forks,  a 
day's  rations,  and  plenty  of  straw  to  sleep  upon.  The 
next  day  was  spent  in  getting ,  things  in  order,  and  by 
the  following  morning  they  were  settled  down  and  ready 
to  commence  the  routine  of  camp.  Colonel  Mann,  com 
manding  the  camp,  issued  the  following  "calls1'  to  be 


CAMP   WASHINGTON.  33 

pounded:  Reveille,  4  A.  M.;  Drill,  4J;  R&call,  6;  Break 
fast,  7;  Guard  Mounting  7J;  Fatigue,  7};  Sick  Call,  8; 
Drill,  9;  Recall,  10;  Orderlies'  Call,  12  M.;  Dinner,  12J- 
P.  M.;  Drill,  6;  Recall,  7;  Supper,  7|;  Tattoo,  9 ;  Taps, 
9J.  Four  roll  calls  were  had  each  day,  and  in  a  littlo 
while  every  thing  worked  with  the  regularity  of  ma 
chinery.  During  the  intervals  between  drills,  the  men 
amused  themselves  in  various  ways,  mostly  in  one-half 
\sleeping,  while  the  other  half  deviled  them.  Quoits, 
foot-ball,  boxing  and  sparring,  singing  and  playing,  and 
all  sorts  of  pranks  were  continually  going  on,  and  alto 
gether  they  appeared  the  happiest  and  merriest  set  of 
men  iu  the  world. 

One  of  the  most  interesting  scenes  was  the  policing 
the  camp.  The  guard  of  the  previous  day  had  liberty 
from  10  A.  M:,  until  4  -P.  M.,  and  the  next  day  were 
required  to  perform  the  police  duty  of  the  camp.  Armed 
with  rakes  and  hickory  brooms,  they  gathered  the  straw, 
rubbish.,  and  old  bones  into  heaps,  to  be  removed  in 
wagons.  This  duty  is  always  disliked  by  soldiers,  as  in 
fact  all  work  is,  but  as  they  marched  out,  with  their  im 
plements  at  a  "shoulder,"  it  was  with  the  mock  ceremony 
of  troops  leaving  for  "the  sacred  soil  of  Virginia,"  and 
many  "  a  good-by"  and  "  God  bless  you"  was  heard,  as 
their  puckered  lips  whistled  out  "  The  girl  I  left  behind 
me." 

A  few  days  after*  our  arrival,  Colonel  March's  seven 
companies  came  into  camp,  and  others  soon  after  fol 
lowed,  and  by  the  12th  of  June,  there  were  twenty-five 
companies,  numbering  one  thousand  nine  hundred  and 
fifty-six  officers  and  men  present.  As  no  clothing  or 
blankets  were  as  yet  furnished  by  Government,  and  as  the 
men  had  brought  nothing  with  them  except  what  they 
stood  in,  they  soon  presented  a  rather  ragged  appearance, 
which,  however,  did  not  in  the  least  affect  their  buoyant 
spirits.  The  citizens  of  the  borough  of  Easton,  however, 
with  a  noble  generosity  took  the  matter  in  hand,  and 
determined  to  do  all  in  their  power  to  render  the  soldiers 

3 


34  OUK    CAMPAIGNS. 

comfortable.  A  Ladies'  Aid  Society  was  formed,  which 
furnished  every  necessary  supply  of  clothing,  blankets, 
comfortables,  flannels,  jellies,  etc.,  for  the  hospital,  and  a 
large  number  of  quilts,  pantaloons,  shirts,  towels,  etc.,  for 
the  camp. 

The  soldiers  will  always  remember  with  gratitude,  the 
kindness  of  the  citizens  of  Easton,  which  was  bestowed 
upon  them  without  ostentation1.  The  food  furnished  was 
abundant,  and  of  the  best  quality,  consisting  of  fresh 
beef,  wheat  bread,  potatoes,  rice,  beans,  bacon,  coffee, 
sugar  and  small  stores,  but  considerable  sickness  pre 
vailed  among  the  men,  arising  from  the  free  use  of  lime 
stone  water,  to  which  they  were  unaccustomed,  but  there 
was  no  serious  illness.  In  the  place  of  a  well,  the  supply 
came  from  a  large  cistern,  in  which  was  caught  the  rain 
water  from  the  roof  of  the  Fair  building,  and  that  hauled 
from  the  borough  of  Easton  in  casks.  As  a  sanitary 
precaution  the  whole  camp  was  vaccinated,  and  to  pro 
mote  the  general  health,  the  men  were  taken4>to  the 
Lehigh  three  times  a  week,  where  they  enjoyed  the 
luxury  of  bathing.  Upon  such  occasions  there  would 
sometimes  be  a  thousand  men  in  the  water  at  once,  and 
they  hugely  enjoyed  the  sport  of  diving,  splashing  and 
paddling  around  in  general.  The  great  feat  among  the 
expert  swimmers,  was  to  cross  and  recross  the  river 
without  resting. 

Among  the  first  things  that  agitated  the  brains  of  the 
men,  was  to  devise  quaint  names  and  mottoes  to  place 
over  the  doors  of  their  quarters,  and  although  they  were 
not  purely  classical,  some  of  them  were  typical  of  those 
who  adopted  them. 

Commencing  on  the  extreme  south  of  the  eastern  side, 
was  Captain  McDonough's  company,  with  "  Fourth  Ward, 
City  of  Philadelphia;"  "Fort  McCandless,  Sergeant  Dillon 
commanding;"  "Fort  Mann,  Lieutenant  John  J.  Gill 

commanding ;"  "  Fort ,  Lieutenant  J.  D.  Schock 

commanding."  On  the  right  of  this  was  "  The  Quaker 
City  Head  Quarters ;"  "  Camp  McClare  ;"  "  Fort  Wm.  T. 


QUAINT   NAMES.  35 

Blunclin;"  "Quaker  Bridal  Chamber;"  "Calahan  Hall;" 
"  Live  and  let  live."  Next,  "  Fort  James  N.  Byrnes ;" 
"Screws;"  "  Hibernia  Fire  Engine  Company;"  "Bird  in 
Hand;"  "Finney  House."  Next,  "Continental  Hotel," 
"  The  Eose  Cottage  ;"  "  Dart's  Head  Quarters :"  "  Hard 
Corner  Sharps;"  "The  Old  House  at  Home;"  "Inde 
pendent  Eangers;"  "Nailer's  Head  Quarters;"  "Gay 
Booster;"  "Diamond  Hall;"  "Don't  Tread  on  me;" 
"  Minerva  Hall ;"  "  Git  up  and  Git ;"  "  Old  Lebanon  Gar 
den,  Captain  Mealey." 

Next,  "Happy  Home  of  the  Constitutional  Eangers, 
Captain  William  Knox ;"  "  Punch  Bowl  Hotel ;"  "  Black 
Horse  Hotel;"  "Astor  House;"  "Ellsworth  Hotel;" 
"  The  Government  keeps  us,  and  we  will  keep  the  Go 
vernment;"  "Cohocksink  Hotel;"  "District  Attorney's 
Office ;"  Notice,  "  Upon  any  liquors  being  brought  in, 
the  moral  character  of  applicants  to  practice  at  the  Bar, 
must  be  strictly  inquired  into."  Next,  "Bristol  Boys, 
Captaia  Wm.  S.  Thompson ;"  "  Bower  of  Love ;"  "  Happy 
Crew;"  "The  Old  School  House;"  "The  Old  Spring 
House;"  "Hole  in  the  Wall;"  " Montgomery  Guards ;" 
Next,  "Einwechters  Head  Quarters;"  "Tenth  and 
Eleventh  Street  Depot,  Exchange  Tickets,  Seven  cents ;" 
"  The  Serious  Family  ;"  "Out  for  a  Day's  shooting." 

v  Next,  "  Ontario  House,  Captain  Horatio  G.  Sickel ;" 
"  Donaghy's  Inn ;"  "Bill  Pool  Club;"  "We  Eespect  all, 
and  Fear  none;"  "Never  Sink;"  "Live  Oak;"  "Ken 
sington  Boys;"  "Hike  out  and  Simmer  down."  Next, 
"  Balmoral  Castle ;"  "  Scotch  Eifles,  Captain  J.  Orr  Fin 
nic  ;"  "  Wallace's  Cave,  Lieutenant  J.  B.  Fletcher ;"  "  De 
Korp'onay ;"  "  Struther's  Eetreat ;"  "  Poney  Hall."  Next, 

."Penn  Eifles,  Captain  George  A.  Woodward;"  "De 
Korponay;"  "The  Flag  Wyoming."  Next,  "Taggart 
Guards;"  "De  Korponay  Bricks;"  "Sunday  Mercury, 
Captain  E.  M.  Woodward  ;"  "  Spicket's  Head  Quarters ;" 
"  Eailroad  House  ;"  "  The  abode  of  Virtue."  Next,  "  Con 
solidation  Guards,  Captain  P.  I.  Smith ;"  "  De  Korpo 
nay  Pidgeon  Box ;"  "  Gay  and  Happy ;"  "  Fort  Defi- 


36  OUR    CAMPAIGNS. 

ance."    Next,  "  Hatborough  Guards,  Captain  I.  W.  Kim- 
ble ;"  "  Free  and  Easy ;"  "  Happy  Family." 

Next,  "  Wide  Awake  Hall,  Captain  Wm.  D.  Curtis ;" 
"Long  Island,  of  Heading;"  ''Keystone  Hook  and  Lad 
der  Company ;"  "  Elephant  Guards."  Next,  "  The  Star 
of  North  Birdsboro',  Captain  Jacob  Lenhart;"  "Fort 
Sumter ;"  "  Japanese  Hotel ;"  "  Arctic  Circle ;"  "  Death  to 
Traitors;"  "Jeff  Davis  at  the  Sheriff's  Ball;"  "The  Blue 
Eyed  Stranger;'"  "Moonlight  Assassinators;"  "Mount 
Vernon;"  "Washington  and  Lincoln;"  "Victory  or 
Death;"  "White  Hall,  Newtown,  Captain  David  Y. 
Feaster ;"  "Traitor  Hunters ;"  "  Love  and  Glory ;"  "  Game 
Chickens;"  "Ellsworth  Avengers;"  "Eebel  Killers;" 
"Hard  Scrabble  Bangers;"  "Chester  County  Volun 
teers;"  "Never  Surrender;"  " The  Wheat  Field ;"  "The 
Eed  Curtin;"  "Susquehanna  Tigers;"  "Gloria  Dei;" 
"  Ellsworth's  Heart,"  etc. 

Guard  mounting  in  the  morning  was  an  interesting 
ceremony,  the  guard  numbering  one  hundred  and  two 
men,  which,  with  the  band,  made  a  fine  display.  Of 
course,  it  could  not  be  supposed  with  so  many  young 
men  in  camp,  many  of  whom  were  for  the  first  time  free 
from  the  restraints  of  home,  they  would  all  conduct 
themselves  with  the  strictest  decorum.  In  fact  there 
were  many  of  them  who  looked  upon  the  arrangement  as 
a  grand  pic-nic  or  excursion,  and  were  bound  to  enjoy 
themselves  as  much  as  possible,  and  took  particular  de 
light  in  dodging  the  guard.  But  four  men  from  each 
company,  inclusive  of  the  old  guard,  were  permitted  to 
be  absent  from  camp  at  a  time,  but  quite  a  number  more 
managed  to  get  out  without  authority.  Almost  every 
bunk  had  its  "  rat  hole"  dug  under  the  back  partition, 
through  which  the  boys  made  their  exit  despite  the  guard. 
Some  of  these  gentlemen  upon  their  return  would  be 
caught,  and  put  in  the  guard  house,  but  it  being  soon- 
discovered  that  it  afforded  a  most  easy  means  of 
egress,  Colonel  Mann  determined  to  build  one  of  logs 
inside  of  the  enclosure  with'  only  a  small  aperture  for 


WHISKEY   IN   A    MUSKET   BARREL.  37 

ingress  and  egress.  This  was  pronounced  by  the  men 
to  be  a  real  "  Black  house  of  refuge,"  and  served  most 
admirably  the  purpose  intended,  but  really  it  was  quite 
amusing  to  see  the  artful  dodges  resorted  to  by^some  of 
the  inmates  to  overcome  the  difficulties. 

An  "  officer  of  the  day,"  on  one  occasion,  upon  visit 
ing  the  guard  house,  found  the  guard  and  one  of  the 
prisoners  in  a  violent  altercation,  the  guard  with  his 
musket  between  the  logs  trying  to  bayonet  the  prisoner. 
Complimenting  the  guard  upon  the  zeal  displayed, 
he  was  privately  cautioned  not  to  wound  any  of  the 
prisoners,  and  advised  to  take  no  notice  of  the  naughty 
names  they  called  him.  The  officer  afterwards  was 
highly  edified  to  learn  that  the  guard  having  his  musket 
barrel  filled  with  whiskey,  was  engaged  in  treating  the 
prisoner  when  surprised  by  him. 

With  the  countersign  an  officer  or  private  could  enter 
the  camp  at  any  time  of  night,  but  it  was  seldom  given 
to  the  men,  yet  some  of  them  were  cute  enough  to  get  it, 
when  wanted.  The  most  successful  one  in  this  arrange 
ment  was  an  eccentric  genius  in  Company  A,  who 
managed  to  get  in  and  out  almost  every  night.  His 
modus  operandi  was  taking  a  musket  and  crawling  up  to 
one  of  the  guards  and  telling  him  he  was  on  the  next 
post  and  had  forgotten  the  countersign.  Some  times  he 
would  take  half  a  company  out  with  him,  when  they 
would  go  to  town  and  have  a  grand  time  dancing.  The 
men  upon  such  occasions  seldom  went  to  excess  or 
troubled  the  citizens,  but  were  inordinately  fond  of  sing 
ing  patriotic  songs  at  unseasonable  hours  of  the  night, 
which  disturbed  the  quietude  of  the  town,  but  the 
borough  watchmen  never  interfered  with  them.  Colonel 
Mann,  however,  was  not  unmindful  of  his  duty  to  the 
citizens,  and  sent  out  nightly  patrols  to  pick  up  the  boys 
who  should  be  in  bed,  and  they  seldom  had  any  trouble 
in  persuading  their  comrades  to  return  with  them. 

In  fair  weather  the  camp  presented  an  animated  ap 
pearance,  it  being  the  fashionable  resort  of  the  neighbor- 


38  OUR   CAMPAIGNS. 

ing  farmers  and  the  citizens  of  Easton,  particularly  on 
Sundays,  when  in  addition  to  the  evening  "  dress  parade," 
the  troops,  headed  by  their  band,  passed  in  review  before 
Colonel  Mann,  and  marched  around  the  race  course.  The 
female  visitors  to  the  camp  were  not  always  of  the  most 
refined  and  unexceptionble  class,  and  although  they  pos 
sessed  much  patriotism  and  love  for  the  soldiers,  it  occa 
sionally  was  found  necessary  to  drum  them  out,  and 
although  it  produced  much  merriment  to  the  spectators, 
it  was  rather  distasteful  to  the  individuals  themselves. 

While  laying  at  Camp  Washington,  the  remains  of 
John  Lerch,  of  Captain  Dachrodt's  company,  First  Regi- 
•ment  Pennsylvania  Volunteers  (three  months  men)  were 
sent  to  Easton  for  interment.  The  funeral  obsequies 
was  performed  by  the  Taggart  Guards,  Lieutenant  J.  K. 
Brown,  and  the  Constitutional  Rangers,  Captain  Thomas 
Bringhurst,  the  battalion  being  under  the  command  of 
Captain  Woodward.  The  ceremony  was  very  imposing, 
Pomp's  Cornet  Band,  with  -muffled  drums,  playing  the 
"  Dead  March  in  Saul." 

The  funeral  of  young  Moyer  of  the  same  regiment, 
also  took  place ;  the  escort  consisting  of  the  "  Williams- 
burg  Legion,"  Captain  F.  Burger;  the  "Quaker  City 
Guards,"  Captain  R.  M.  McClure ;  the  "  Harmer  Guards," 
Captain  Thomas  F.  B.  Tapper ;  the  "  Hatborough  Rifles, 
Captain  I.  W.  Kimble ;  the  "  Governor's  Rangers,"  Lieu 
tenant  George  Young ;  the  "  Dickson  Guards,"  Lieuten 
ant  J.  B.  Baker ;  the  "  Reed  Guards,"  Lieutenant  P.  M. 
Davis;  the  "Able  Guards,"  Lieutenant  Thomas  G. 
O'Hara ;  the  ("  Governor's  Guards,"  J.  D.  Edwards,  the 
"  Governor's  Rangers,"  Lieutenant  John  D.  Schock  ;  the 
battalion  being  under  the  command  of  Captain  Ellis.  It 
was  many  years  since  Easton  had  witnessed  such  funeral 
ceremonies. 


ORGANIZATION   OF   RESERVES,  39 


CHAPTER  IV. 

ORGANIZATION  OP  THE  SECOND,  THIRD  AND  FOURTH  RESERVES. 
DISSATISFACTION  THEREWITH.  ELECTION  OF  FIELD  OFFICERS. 
WATCHED  AND  FANNED  ALL  NIGHT.  DEPARTURE  OF  THE 
FOURTH  AND  THIRD  REGIMENTS. 

ON  the  14th  of  June,  General  McCall  visited  the  camp 
to  organize  the  regiments,  supposing  the  independent 
companies  had  formed  voluntary  associations  with  one 
or  the  other  of  the  three  colonels  who  had  parfe  of  their 
regiments  quartered  there.  Not  finding  such  to  be  the 
case,  however,  after  a  consultation  with  Colonel  Mann, 
the  general  issued  an  order  for  the  organization  of  the 
camp,  which  order,  after  stating  that  "the  best  interests 
of  the  service  demanded  that  the  companies  brought  to 
gether  at  this  camp  shall  be  organized  at  the  earliest  day 
practicable,"  went  on  to  say,  "  it  would  be  desirable  that 
the  proposed  organization  should  be  arranged  by  the 
voluntary  association  of  companies."  He  concluded  by 
ordering  that  if  such  voluntary  association  could  not  be 
effected  by  the  19th  inst.,  inclusive,  the  "  organization 
would  be  conducted  in  the  following  manner :  The  ten 
companies  which  first  arrived  in  camp  and  in  the  order 
they  are  now  quartered,  will  constitute  a  regiment,  to  be 
known  as  the  Second  regiment ;  the  next  ten  will  form 
the  Third  regiment,  and  the  last  ten  will  form  the 
Fourth  regiment  of  the  Pennsylvania  Keserve  Volun 
teer  Corps.  Each  regiment  so  formed,  will  proceed  with 
out  delay  fo  elect  their  field  officers."  The  companies, 
as  quartered,  were :  First,  eight  of  Colonel  Mann's  and 
two  independent;  next,  five  of  Colonel- De  Korponay's; 
next,  five  independent ;  next  and  last,  seven  of  Colonel 
Marsh's  and  three  independent. 

On  the  20th,  General  McCall  agaj,n  visited  the  camp, 
and  in  the  evening  convened  the  captains  at  the  commis 
sary's  building,  and  proceeded  to  organize  the  regiments. 


40  OUR   CAMPAIGNS. 

As  no  voluntary  associations  had  been  effected,  the  order 
was  read,  when  Lieutenant  H.  Clay  Beatty  arose  and 
stated  that  as  Captain  Thompson's  company  did  not 
arrive  until  several  days  after  De  Korponay's  had,  ho 
should  not  be  thrown  into  the  first  division.  Against 
this  the  De  Korponay  companies  earnestly  protested, 
maintaining  that  as  they  were  the  companies  assigned  to 
the  colonel  by  the  Governor,  they  could  not  be  taken 
from  him,  and  as  Captain  Thompson's  company  had  been 
accepted  by  the  Governor  as  one  of  Colonel  Mann's,  he 
rightfully  belonged  to  him,  and  that  the  mere  fact  of  the 
delay  of*  a  few  days  in  his  arrival  in  camp,  where  quar 
ters  had  been  assigned,  and  kept  for  him,  did  not  alter 
the  case.  After  considerable  argument,  the  General  an 
nounced  that  the  names  of  Captains  Thompson  and 
Sickel  and  four  of  De  Korponay's  captains  be  placed  in 
a  hat,  and  the  question  of  which  two  companies  should 
go  to  Colonel  Mann,  be  decided  by  lot. 

This  gave  two  chances  to  one  against  Colonel  De  Kor 
ponay.  Lieutenant  Henry  A:  Scheetz,  aid-de-camp  to 
General  McCall,  drew  the  slips,  and  the  first  two  names 
drawn  were  Captains  G.  A.  Woodward  and  E.  M.  Wood 
ward.  This  destroyed  all  hope  of  the  De  Korponay 
regiment.  It  cannot  be  denied,  the  officers  and  men 
were  deeply  attached  to  De  Korponay,  and  the  effect  of 
this  blow  upon  them  was  severely  felt.  A  captain  of 
one  of  the  companies  detached,  threw  himself  upon  his 
hands  and  wept  like  a  child,  and  his  company  broke  out 
in  open  mutiny,  and  attempted  to  seize  a  number  of 
muskets  in  a  neighboring  officer's  quarters.  It  was  with 
the  utmost  difficulty  the  other  De  Korponay's  companies 
could  be  kept  quiet,  and  in  fact  it  was  deemed  necessary 
to  order  out  the  whole  camp  for  the  purpose.  Though 
defeated,  the  De  Korponay  companies  desired  to  remain 
together,  for  which  purpose,  Captains  Smith  and  Finnie 
of  the  Third  regiment  exchanged  with  Captains  Thomp 
son  and  McClure  of  the  Second  regiment. 

The  three  regiments  having  now  been  formed;  elec- 


FOUKTH  OF  JULY  IN  CAMP.  41 

tions  were  held  in  them  the  next  day  for  Field  Officers, 
which  resulted  as  follows : 

Second  Regiment. — Colonel,  Wm.  B.  Mann.  Lieutenant- 
Colonel,  Albert  L.  Magilton.  Major,  Wm.  McCandless. 

Third    Reyiment.-^~H.OTfdtio   G.    Sickel.     Lieutenant- 
Colonel,  Wm.  S.  Thompson.     Major,  Richard  H.  Wool, 
worth. 

Fourth  Regiment. — Colonel,  Robert  G.  March.  Lieu 
tenant-Colonel,  John  F.  Gaul.  Major,  Robert  M. 
McClure. 

The  four  De  Korponay  companies  of  the  Second  Regi 
ment,  cast  a  unanimous  vote  for  Colonel  De  Korponay 
and  Lieutenant-Colonel  A.  L.  Snowden. 

Soon  after,  the  men  commenced  receiving  clothing 
from  the  State,  the  first  instalment,  consisting  of  twenty 
blankets  and  forty  pair  of  shoes  for  each  company,  and 
some  time  after  their  complete  outfit  and  arms  came. 

The  Fourth  of  July  in  due  course  of  time  rolled  round, 
and  was  duly  celebrated  with  the  usual  festivities  appro 
priate  for  the  occasion.  Of  course  the  liberty  of  the 
camp  was  much  enlarged,  and  the  number  of  passes  to 
town  largely  increased,  while  a  still  larger  proportion  of 
"  absent  without  leave,"  managed  to  get  out.  Although 
many  of  the  patriots'  brains  became  in  a  highly  inflam 
matory  state,  every  thing  passed  off  in  good  humor,  and 
taking  all  things  into  consideration,  they  had  a  very 
happy  and  jovial  time.  As  a  precautionary  measure, 
heavy  details  were  sent  from  camp  to  patrol  the  town 
and  collect  the  disabled,  who  were  conveyed  to  camp 
and  carefully  stowed  away  in  their  bunks,  until  they 
became  refreshed  with  sleep. 

For  the  better  accommodation  of  the  sick,  a  large 
hospital  was  erected  near  the  centre  of  the  race  course, 
in  a  wooded  grove,  to  which  was  attached  a  laboratory, 
kitchen,  washing  and  dining  rooms.  This  building  was 
appropriated  to  the  Second  Regiment,  the  hospitals  of 
the  Third  and  Fourth  Regiments  being  located  at  the 
Head- quarters  of  their  respective  colonels. 


42  OUR    CAMPAIGNS. 

One  day  upon  the  arrival  of  the  Philadelphia  train  at 
South  Easton,  a  young  soldier  who  was  "slightly  inebri 
ated,"  fell  through  the  trestle  work  upon  a  coal  pile 
below,  a  distance  of  twenty -feet,  and  his  Captain  and  one 
of  the  Surgeon's  being  there,  immediately  went  to  his 
assistance,  but  before  their  arrival  he  had  got  up  and 
started  for  camp.  Fearing  he  was  internally  hurt,  they 
started  in  pursuit,  and  ,soon  overtaking  him,  detained 
him  until  an  ambulance  could  be  sent  for.  Night  caine, 
but  no  ambulance,  so  he  was  put  in  a  carriage,  conveyed 
to  camp,  stripped,  examined  and  lapped  up  in  warm 
blankets  and  put  to  bed  in  his  bunk.  In  the  meantime 
the  ambulance  came  down  the  street  in  search  of  the 
wounded  soldier,  and  finding  a  "  green  shirter,"  stretched 
upon  a  cellar  door,  he  was  carefully  picked  up  and  con 
veyed  with  brotherly  care  to  the  Camp  Hospital,  where 
two  of  his  comrades  were  detailed  to  watch  over  and  fan 
him  through  the  night. 

Through  the  long  and  weary  hours,  faithfully  did  they 
perform  their  charge,  with  a  love  and  watchfulness 
known  only  among  comrades.  The  morning  came,  but 
the  soldier  still  slept,  until  at  last  the  Surgeon  approach 
ing  him,  gently  woke  him  up.  "  Andy,  my  boy,  how  do 
you  feel?"  "Feel,"  replied  the  bewildered  boy,  as  he 
gazed  upon  the  strange  scene  around  him,  "feel,  why 
where  am  I?  what  has  happened  to  me?"  "Ah,  Andy,' 
replied  the  Surgeon  in  a  kind  and  gentle  voice,  as  he 
stripped  off  the  bed  clothing  to  examine  him,  "  I  fear  you 
are  seriously  hurt ;  you  fell  through  the  tressel  work  at 
South  Easton,  and  the  only  wonder  is,  it  did  not  kill  you 
instantly.  Draw  your  leg  up  and  stretch  it  out."  Andy 
with  some  misgivings,  slowly  obeyed.  "  Draw  up  the 
other  one — now  stretch  out  your  arms."  "  Does  that 
hurt  you,"  said  the  Surgeon  as  he  pressed  his  ribs  and 
breast.  "No,  sir,"  replied  Andy. 

"  See  here,  young  man,"  said  the  Surgeon,  beginning 
to  smell  a  rat,  "I  guess  you  were  drunk  last  night,  get 
up  out  of  that  bed  and  travel."  "  Well,"  replied  Andy, 


REVIEWED   BY   THE    GOVERNOR.  43 

as  the  truth  flashed  upon  him,  and  a  comical  expression 
r  came  over  his  face,  "  I  think  you  guess  right,  but  Doctor, 
hadn't  you  better  set  those  broken  bones  of  mine  first?'' 
As  Andy  passed  down  the  ward,  a  tittering  was  heard 
among  the  patients,  and  some  unable  to  repress  their 
smiles,  covered  their  heads  with  their  blankets,  and  gave 
vent  to  hearty  laughter.  A  quiet  old  gentleman  who 
witnessed  the  scene,  called  Andy  to  one  side  as  he  passed 
through  the  laboratory,  and  gave  him  a  drink  of  brandy, 
remarking,  that  "that  would  set  his  bones  all  right." 
Andy  enjoyed  the  arrangement  wonderfully,  and  was 
always  afterwards  on  the  best  terms  with  the  Surgeon. 
The  young  man  who  fell  through  the  tressel  work,  was 
on  drill  the  next  morning  as  sound  as  ever. 

On  the  14th,  His  Excellency,  Andrew  G.  Curtin, 
Governor  of  the  State  arrived,  and  a  review  of  the  troops 
was  ordered.  The  men  were  dressed  in  their  light  blue 
pants,  neat  dark  blue  blouses,  and  fatigue  caps,  with 
their  muskets  and  brasses  as  bright  as  new  dollars. 
Being  thrown  into  column  of  companies,  they  passed  in 
review  before  His  Excellency,  who  was  surrounded  by 
his  staff.  The  affair  was  very  creditable  for  newly 
organized  troops,  and  the  Governor  expressed  himself 
•much  pleased. 

The  next  day,  Major  H.  D.  Maxwell,  the  Paymaster- 
General  of  the  State  of  Pennsylvania,  arrived  in  camp 
and  commenced  paying  off"  the  Second  Eegiment,  but 
when  he  got  through  with  two  companies,  orders  were 
received  for  the  Fourth  to  prepare  to  march,  so  the  pay 
ment  of  the  Second  was  suspended,  and  that  of  -  the 
Fourth  commenced  and  got  through  within  a  short  time. 

On  the  16th,  the  Fourth,  Colonel  March,  left  the  camp 
and  proceeded  by  rail  to  Harrisburg.  The  payment  of 
the  Second  and  Third  Eegiments  was  resumed  and  soon 
completed,  and  on  the  22d,  the  Third,  Colonel  Sickel, 
was  ordered  to  Harrisburg. 


44  CUE   CAMPAIGNS. 


CHAPTER  Y. 

DEPARTURE  OF  THE  SECOND.  ITS  ROSTER.  CAMP  CURTIN. 
LEAVE  THE  STATE  WITHOUT  BEING  MUSTERED  INTO  THE  UNITED 
STATES  SERVICE.  MARCHING  WITHOUT  ORDERS.  BALTIMORE. 
SANDY  HOOK  DISCONTENT  AMONG  THE  MEN.  REFUSAL  TO 

TAKE  THE  OATH.       SENT  HOME    IN   DISGRACE.       STRANGE  MISMAN 
AGEMENT.     MARCH  TO  BERLIN. 

THE  news  of  the  disastrous  battle  of  Bull  Run  being 
received,  orders  were  issued  for  the  Second  Regiment  to 
prepare  to  move  on  the  morning  of  the  24th  of  July,  and 
accordingly  about  nine  o'clock,  they  bid  farewell  to  the 
camp,  and  marched  through  Easton  across  the  Lehigh  to 
the  depot.  Pomp's  Cornet  Band  escorted  them,  the  bells 
were  rung,  the  citizens  cheered,  and  the  ladies  waved 
their  handkerchiefs.  The  organization  of  the  Regiment 
was  as  follows : 

Colonel,  Wm.  B.  Mann.  Lieutenant-Colonel,  A.  L. 

Magilton.  Major,  Wm.  McCandless.  Adjutant, 

.  Quartermaster,  Charles  F.  Hoyt.  Surgeon, 

Thomas  B.  Reed.  Assistant  Surgeon,  J.  W.  Lodge. 
Sergeant  Major,  Augustus.  T.  Cross.  Quartermaster 
Sergeant,  Wesley  S.  Mann. 

Company  A. — Captain,  G.  A.  Woodward.  First  Lieu 
tenant,  R.  H.  Loudon.  Second  Lieutenant,  Horace  Neide. 

Company  B. — Captain,  P.  McDonough.  First  Lieu 
tenant,  John  D.  Schock.  Second  Lieutenant,  John  J. 
Gill. 

Company  0. — Captain,  James  K.  Byrnes.  First  Lieu- 
'tenant,  John  B.  Robinson.  Second  Lieutenant,  Frank 
Fox. 

Company  D. — Captain,  R.  Ellis.  First  Lieutenant, 
John  Curley.  Second  Lieutenant,  George  Young. 

Company  E. — Captain,  J.  Orr  Finnie.  First  Lieu 
tenant,  J.  Baxter  Fletcher.  Second  Lieutenant,  Alex 
ander  Black. 


DEPARTURE.  45 

Company  F. — Captain,  Thomas  Bringhurst.  First 
Lieutenant,  George  W.  Kite.  Second  Lieutenant,  Wil 
liam  J.  D.  Edwards, 

Company  Gr. — Captain,  B.  M.  Woodward.  First  Lieu 
tenant,  Henry  A.  Scheetz.  Second  Lieutenant,  John  K. 
Brown. 

Company  H. — Captain,  Timothy  Mealey.  First  Lieu 
tenant,  Peter  Summers.  Second  Lieutenant,  --  . 

Company  I. — Captain,  William  Knox.  First  Lieu 
tenant,  Thomas  Weir.  Second  Lieutenant,  John  H. 
Jack. 

Company  K. — Captain,  P.  I.  Smith.  First  Lieutenant, 
Isaac  J.  Harvey.  Second  Lieutenant,  James  C.  Justus. 

Amidst  the  cheers  of  the  crowd  the  cars  moved  off, 
and  the  day  being  excessively  warm,  the  boys  soon  pro 
ceeded  to  produce  ventilation  by  knocking  the  sides  out 
of  the  freight  cars,  with  the  butts  of  their  muskets. 
Although  the  tops  of  the  cars  were  crowded,  and  the 
bridges  on  the  road  were  very  low,  but  one  man  was 
hurt  daring  the  passage,  he  receiving  a  severe  contusion 
on  the  back  of  the  head,  that  set  him  so  wild,  that  it  re 
quired  several  men  to  hold  him  down  to  prevent  his 
jumping  off.  Along  the  route  flags  were  displayed  from 
the  houses,  and  at  the  villages  the  populace  turned  out 
en  masse  to  welcome  our  passage.  About  four  o'clock 
in  the  afternoon  we  arrived  at  Harrisburg,  and  marched 
out  to  Camp  Curtin,  where  we  enjoyed  the  novelty  and 
romance  of  sleeping  upon  the  soft  green  grass,  with 
nothing  but  the  vault  of  heaven  above  us,  from  which 
descended  a  copious  shower  of  rain  during  the  night. 

All  the  regiments  of  the  Eeserve,  we  believe,  with  but 
one  exception,  were  mustered  into  the  United  States  ser 
vice  before  leaving  the  State,  and  it  was  Colonel  Mann's 
desire  we  should  also  be,  but  as  it  would  cause  a  delay 
of  some  days,  the  Colonel  was  induced  by  Lieutenant- 
colonel  Magilton,  and  with  the  consent  of  the  Governor, 
to  proceed  to  Baltimore  without  its  being  done.  Ac 
cordingly,  at  two  o'clock  the  next  afternoon  we  marched 


46  OUR  CAMPAIGNS. 

to  the  railroad,  and  at  dark  took  the  cars  and  proceeded 
on  our  way  several  miles,  where  we  laid  on  a  sideling 
until  near  daybreak  the  next  morning,  when  moving  on, 
we  arrived  at  Baltimore  early  in  the  afternoon,  and  slept 
that  night  upon  a  common  opposite  the  depot. 

Upon  the  regiment  being  reported  to  General  Dix, 
who  commanded  the  Department,  and  he  ascertaining 
we  came  there  without  any  orders,  he  declined  having 
any  thing  to  do  with  us,  until  he  telegraphed  to  Simon 
Cameron,  the  Secretary  of  War,  upon  the  subject.  Mr. 
Cameron,  probably  vexed  at  such  unauthorized  proceed 
ings,  and  being  on  bad  terms  with  Colonel  Mann,  on 
account  of  his  defeat  in  the  gubernatorial  convention, 
replied  in  a  very  unsatisfactory  manner,  when  it  was  de 
termined  to  move  the  regiment  to  Sandy  Hook,  which 
point  was  then  reported  to  be  threatened  by  the  rebels 
under  General  Jackson. 

Early  on  Sunday  morning,  July  28th,  our  regiment 
marched  through  the  city  to  the  depot  of  the  Baltimore 
and  Ohio  Railroad,  where  we  took  cars  for  Sandy  Hook. 
It  numbered  one  thousand  and  one,  officers  and  men, 
and  were  as  fine  a  body  of  soldiers  as  ever  passed  through 
the  city.  Their  neat  new  uniform,  their  steady  tramp 
and  well-dressed  lines,  with  their  martial  bearing,  at 
tracted  the  attention  of  all,  and  many  were  the  inquiries 
as  to  what  regiment  it  was.  At  the  depot  they  were 
met  by  the  Union  Relief  Committee,  who  supplied  them 
with  an  abundance  of  ice- water.  On  the  route  to  Sandy 
Hook  many  American  flags  were  displayed,  and  at 
Ellicott's  Mills  unmistakable  signs  of  loyalty  were  shown 
by  the  waving  of  handkerchiefs  and  the  cheers  of  the 
people.  We  arrived  at  the  "  Point  of  Rocks,"  about  four 
P.  M.,  where  we  found  two  companies  of  Yermont  three 
months  volunteers,  guarding  that  point.  The  bridge  at 
this  place  was  burnt  by  the  rebels  on  the  8th  of  June, 
and  a  huge  rock,  many  tons  in  weight,  tumbled  upon 
the  track.  The  rebels  may  have  been  picketing  on  the 
opposite  bank  of  the  Potomac,  but  whether  they  were  or 


SANDY   HOOK.  47 

not,  the  boys  had  the  satisfaction  of  imagining  they  saw 
them.  After  an  hour's  delay,  we  started  on,  finding  the 
road  picketed  for  twelve  miles  up,  the  distance  to  Sandy 
Hook,  where  we  arrived  after  dark,  and  found  many  of 
the  three  months  men  on  their  way  home,  their  time 
having  expired,  and  all  the  army  having  that  day  crossed 
to  the  Maryland  shore  of  the  Potomac,  except  a  few  left 
to  occupy  Harper's  Ferry,  about  two  miles  above.  It 
had  been  raining  hard  through  the  afternoon,  the  night 
was  exceedingly  dark  and  unpleasant,  and  after  remain 
ing  a  long  while  awaiting  orders,  the  men  laid  down 
along  the  road  and  went  to  sleep. 

The  next  morning  was  oppressively  hot,  and  after 
making  coffee,  we  formed  and  marched  to  Pleasant  val 
ley,  a  table-land  plateau,  about  a  mile  back  from,  and 
some  four  hundred  feet  above,  the  Potomac".  This 
valley  lays  between  the  mountains  known  as  Maryland 
Heights,  abutting  opposite  Harper's  Ferry,  and  a  spur  of 
the  Blue  Ridge,  terminating  on  the  Potomac,  at  the  vil 
lage  of  Knoxville,  on  the  Baltimore  and  Ohio  Railroad, 
overlooking  Harper's  Ferry,  Sandy  Hook,  and  Knoxville, 
and  commanding  the  country  roads  running  from  the 
former  place  towards  Hagerstown  and  Frederick.  The 
location  was  unassailable,  except  from  the  opposite 
Virginia  or  Loudon  Heights,  which  would  really  com 
mand  the  position,  but  for  the  existence  of  obstacles 
almost  insuperable  to  the  placing  of  any  battery  there. 
Here  we  encamped  in  a  wheat  stubble-field,  and  received 
our  camp  equipage  and  tents. 

•  The  night  of  our  arrival,  the  regiment  was  reported  to 
General  Banks,  commanding  the  Department  of  the 
Shenandoah,  whose  first  inquiry  was  by  whose  authority 
we  came  there,  and  upon  his  ascertaining  we  had  come 
upon  our  "own  hook,"  he  declined  to  have  any  thing  to 
do  with  us,  until  he  communicated  with  the  War  De 
partment.  The  general,  however,  assigned  us  camping 
grounds,  and  the  next  day  before  night,  the  colonel  suc 
ceeded  in  obtaining  for  the  men  a  part  of  a  ration,  by 


48  OUK   CAMPAIGNS. 

indemnifying  the  commissary  of  subsistence  from  any 
loss. 

Discontent  among  the  men  soon  commenced  showing 
itself,  and  was  increased  from  the  fact  of  our  being  en 
camped  next  to  the  Twenty-eighth  Pennsylvania  Volun 
teers,  of  which  De  Korponay  was  Lieutenant-Colonel, 
and  who  received  their  full  ration,  and  of  a  much  better 
quality  than  our  own.  A  rumor,  that  obtained  much 
credence  among  the  men,  was  put  afloat,  to  the  effect, 
that  they  being  out  of  the  State  of  Pennsylvania,  and 
not  mustered  into  the  United  States  service,  there  was 
no  power  to  hold  them.  It  soon  after  coming  to  the 
knowledge  of  General  Banks  that  an  officer  of  another 
regiment  was  tampering  with  the  men,  and  had  offered 
to  enlist  them  in  his  regiment  if  they  would  not  be  mus 
tered  in>  an  order  was  issued  by  him  prohibiting  the 
enlistment  of  any  of  the  men,  under  penalty  of  cashiering 
the  officer  who  did  so,  and  directing  the  drumming  out 
of  camp  of  any  of  them  found  enlisted.  This  discontent, 
there  is  not  the  slightest  doubt,  was  countenanced  and 
encouraged  by  a  field  officer  of  our  own  regiment,  whose 
object  was  to  bring  Colonel  Mann  into  bad  repute,  and 
wear  the  eagle-s  upon  his  own  shoulders.  Secret  meet 
ings  were  held  by  the  men,  and  the  ringleaders  were  led 
to  suppose  that  if  the  regiment  was  broken  up,  they 
would  be  sent  to  Philadelphia,  and  that  the  would-be- 
colonel  would  obtain  permission  to  reorganize  them,  and 
they  would  be  made  officers. 

This  discontent  continued  until  the  1st  of  August, 
when  it  reached  its  climax.  That  afternoon  Lieutenant- 
colonel  Fitz  John  Porter,  U.  S.  A.,  "  the  extreme  West 
Pointer,"  was  sent  by  General  Banks  to  muster  the  regi 
ment  in.  Commencing  on  the  right,  he  discovered  muti 
nous  intentions  among  a  portion  of  the  men,  which  ex 
tended  to  every  company  in  the  regiment.  This  was 
increased  by  his  very  injudicious  remarks,  he  apparently 
caring  very  little  whether  the  men  were  mustered  in  or 
not.  When  they  were  ordered  to  hold  up  their  right 


SENT   HOME.  49 

hand  and  take  the  oath  of  allegiance  to  their  Govern 
ment,  about  one-Jourth  refused  to  do  so.  The  reasons 
assigned  by  them  was,  that  they  were  armed  with 
smooth-bored  muskets,  (the  only  ones  the  Government 
at  that  time  could  give  them,)  their  crowded  tents,  (five 
in  each,)  bad  rations,  (better  than  some  of  them  got  at 
home,)  not  having  overcoats,  (in  the  middle  of  Summer.) 
their  unwillingness  to  serve  under  Colonel  Mann,  (their 
own  choice,)  they,  in  fact,  like  all  other  men  who  were 
doing  wrong,  using  every  subterfuge  to  justify  their  con 
duct.  They  were  marched  to  their  quarters,  and  the 
names  of  all  who  had  taken  the  oath,  forwarded  to  head 
quarters. 

The  next  morning  the  regiment  was  again  called  out 
to  have  the  oath  administered,  and  to  the  surprise  of  all, 
those  wh.o  had  taken  the  oath  the  day  before,  were  re 
quired  to  take  it  again,  they  being  informed  that  those 
who  refused  would  be  sent  home  in  disgrace.  The  con 
sequence  of  such  injudicious  proceedings  was  what 
might  have  been  expected,  and  instead  of  one-fourth, 
nearly  one-third,  or  three  hundred  and  twenty  refused. 
They  were  then  marched  to  General  Thomas'  headquar 
ters,  ordered  to  stack  arms,  divest  themselves  of  their 
accoutrements,  and  strip  off  their  blouses  and  blue  pants, 
retaining  only  their  linen  pants  and  shirts.  ,  An  order 
was  then  issued  detailing  eleven  officers,  leaving  five 
companies  without  any  officers,  to  conduct  them  to  Phila 
delphia,  it  stating,  "  this  order  is  peremptory,  and  must 
not  be  disobeyed."  Late  that  afternoon  they  left  Sandy 
Hook  in  a  special  train,  the  men  giving  Lieutenant- 
colonel  Magilton  three  cheers  at  their  departure.  They 
conducted  themselves  very  orderly,  and  at  Broad  and 
Prime  streets  were  dismissed  to  their  homes,  but  how 
they  were  received  we  know  not. 

The  officers  having  learned  Governor  Curtin  was  in 
the  city,  proceeded  to  the  Continental  Hotel  to  call  upon 
him,  but  he  at  first  declined  having  an  interview  with 
them.  Having  granted  one,  however,  what  was  their' 

4 


50  OUR   CAMPAIGNS. 

surprise  and  indignation  at  being  shown  a  telegram  he 
had  just  received  from  General  Banks'  Assistant  Adju 
tant-general,  stating  that  they,  and  over  three  hundred 
of  the  men,  having  refused  to  take  the  oath  of  allegiance, 
had  been  sent  home  in  disgrace.  A  few  moments'  con 
versation,  however,  satisfied  His  Excellency  that  a  gross 
and  dishonorable  deception  had  been  practiced  by  some 
officer  of  the  regiment  upon  General  Banks,  and  he  ex 
pressed  his  willingness  to  issue  an  order  to  have  the 
officers  mustered  in  immediately,  and  furnish  them  with 
transportation  back  to  their  regiment.  But  as  the  offi 
cers  had  been  mustered  in,  the  order  was  unnecessary. 

Upon  their  arrival  back  at  Sandy  Hook,  they  were 
met  with  another  unaccountable  surprise,  in  finding  that 
the  men  whom  they  had  left  in  camp,  and  who  had  been 
sworn  into  the  service  twice  before,  had  been  called  upon 
that  day  to  take  the  oath  for  the  third  time.  "  It  is 
necessary,"  said  the  men,  "  for  a  good  soldier  to  carry  a 
Bible  with  him  to  be  sworn  in  on,  or  he  will  find  himself 
discharged  before  he  knows  anything  about  it."  In  fact, 
many  of  the  men,  finding  it  easier  to  get  out  of  the  ser 
vice  than  to  stay  in  it,  concluded  to  go  home  and  enter 
some  other  regiment,  and  ,out  of  one  thousand  and  one 
men  who  marched  through  Baltimore  two  weeks  before, 
but  a  little  over  four  hundred  remained.  The  men 
whose  officers  had  been  sent  home  with  the  deserters, 
being  told  they  would  not  return,  and  that  they  would 
be  transferred  to  other  companies,  left  almost  in  a  body. 

Who  was  responsible  for  such  unaccountable  and 
criminally  mismanaged  proceedings,  the  reader  must 
judge  for  himself.  It  is  just  to  those  men  to  state,  though 
they  deserted  the  flag  when  almost  within  sight  of  the 
enemy,  that,  with  few  exceptions,  they  entered  the  ser 
vice  .again,  and  their  blood  has  been  poured  out  upon 
almost  every  battle-field  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac.  • 

On  Sunday  morning  the  llth,  the  Independent  Ban 
gers,  of  Philadelphia,  Captain  Wm.  McMullin,  who  were 
encamped  near  by,  started  home,  being  escorted  to  the 


TO   BERLIN.  51 

cars  by  Company  D.  The  next  morning,  The  First  City 
Troop  of  Philadelphia  Light  Cavalry,  Captain  James, 
broke  camp  and  marched  homeward,  via  Hagerstown 
and  Baltimore,  being  escorted  a  distance  on  their  way 
by  the  Twenty-Eighth  Regiment  Pennsylvania  Volun 
teers,  Colonel  Geary.  These  two  companies  at  the  re 
quest  of  the  general,  had  consented  to  remain  some  time 
after  their  term  of  service  expired,  for  which  they  re 
ceived  his  thanks. 

On  the  13th,  Colonel  Greary  received  orders  to  march 
to  the  Point  of  Eocks,  twelve  miles  down  the  Potomac, 
and  alter  dark  they  got  into  motion,  a  guide  being  em 
ployed  to  pilot  them  by  a  back  road,  to  prevent  the 
movement  being  discovered  by  the  enemy.  The  night 
was  exceedingly  dark,  and  the  pilot  having  intentionally 
or  unintentionally  lost  the  way,  and  not  having  any 
desire  to  become  a  stockholder  in  the  colonel's  lead 
mine,  thought  it  prudent  to  decamp;  so  the  colonel, 
after  hunting  around  for  him  for  some  time,  with  pistol 
in  hand,  turned  into  a  narrow  road  which  proved  to  be 
a  private  lane.  As  the  baggage  wagons  were  passing 
through  the  barn  yard  one  of  them  upset,  which  was  fol 
lowed  by  considerable  noise,  occasioned  by  the  braying 
of  mules,  and  the  shouting  and  cursing  of  the  teamsters. 
The  colonel  went  to  the  house  to  procure  a  lantern,  but 
all  his  pounding,  shouting  and  throwing  stones  at  the 
windows,  produced  no  effect.  At  last  he  heard  meek, 
tremulous  voices  issuing  from  the  cellar,  and  discovered 
the  old  folks  and  children  in  their  night  clothes,  down 
there  praying  for  deliverance  from  the  battle  they  sup 
posed  was  raging  around  their  house. 

On  the  14th,  orders  were  received  to  reduce  our  bag 
gage  as  much  as  possible,  and  to  pack  up  and  send  to 
Harrisburg  the  extra  articles  left  by  the  deserters. 
About  one  A.  Mv  while  in  the  midst  of  the  work,  the 
drums  beat  the  "long  roll,"  and  the  men  dropping  every 
thing,  were  soon  in  line  with  their  muskets  and  cartridge 
boxes.  When  Dr.  Reed  went  to  the  Hospital  to  get  his 


52  OUR  CAMPAIGNS/ 

instruments,  he  found  his  patients  hurrying  pn  their 
clothes,  against  which  he  remonstrated  without  avail, 
and  before  he  could  get  a  guard  to  enforce  his  orders, 
the  sick  were  in  the  ranks  and  could  not  be  got  out. 
Leaving  the  camp  "topsy  turvy,"  in  charge  of  the  cooks 
and  teamsters,  we  started  off,  and  hurrying  across  the 
canal  at  Knoxville,  proceeded  down  the  towpath  to 
Berlin,  about  four  miles  below,  where  a  party  of  rebs 
had  been  firing  upon  the  pickets  of  the  Nineteenth  New 
York,  but  with  no  other  effect  than  the  knocking  over 
of  some  camp  kettles  and  the  scattering  of  their  contents. 
Here  we  stacked  arms  and  stretched  ourselves  upon  the 
grass  watching  an  old  rascal  on  horseback  waving  a 
white  flag,  and  who  doubtlessly  was  calculating  our 
strength. 

On  the  8th  of  June,  the  rebels  burnt  the  long  and  sub 
stantial  bridge  that  spanned  the  river  at  this  point,  and 
the  only  wagon  communication  between  the  two  shores, 
are  the  fords  above  and  below  the  piers.  About  two 
weeks  back,  the  rebels  brought  an  old  iron  twelve- 
pounder  cannon  that  had  its  muzzle  knocked  off)  and 
was  fastened  with  chains  to  the  front  wheels  of  an  old 
wagon,  which  they  posted  on  the  opposite  hills  to  com 
mand  the  village.  They  thought  it  prudent  to  withdraw 
the  same  night,  and  hiding  their  cannon,  they  left,  in 
tending  to  return  the  next  night  and  get  it.  The  Ber- 
linites,  however,  found  it  out,  and  slipping  over  brought 
it  away,  and  at  night  it  was  stationed  on  the  pier  of 
the  bridge,  behind  a  bulwark  of  hay  bales.  Being  minus 
of  grape  shot,  they  cut  the  iron  braces  of  the  bridge  into 
slugs,  which  were  about  as  good  as  anything  else  to  fire 
out  of  it.  After  remaining  here  until  it  was  ascertained 
that  the  rebels  had  decamped,  we  about  face,  and  retraced 
our  steps  to  camp,  but  all  the  spirit  of  the  boys  was 
gone,  and  our  march  was  a  quiet  one.  We  arrived 
about  dark,  and  had  a  late,  but  welcome  supper. 

At  this  time  the  Army  of  the  Shenandoah  picketed 
the  Potomac  for  the  distance  of  fifty  miles,  from  Wil- 


THE   MOVE  TOWAKDS  "WASHINGTON".  53 

liamsport  about  twenty  miles  above  the  Ferry,  until  the 
line  joined  that  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  some  thirty 
miles  below.  The  enemy  picketed  on  the  south  bank  for 
an  equal  distance,  we  having  abandoned  Virginia,  except 
in  the  immediate  neighborhood  of  Harper's  Ferry. 

The  greater  portion  of  the  rebel  army  under  General 
Johnson,  having  joined  Beauregard  at  Manassas,  and 
left  the  valley  of  the  Shenandoah  and  the  upper  Potomac 
comparatively  bare  of  troops,  which  relieved  all  anxiety 
for  the  safety  of  Maryland  and  Pennsylvania,  it  was  de 
termined  to  make  a  corresponding  movement  of  our 
forces  towards  Washington,  which  was  not  yet  consi 
dered  safe.  Therefore,  orders  were  issued  on  the  night 
of  the  16th,  to  be  prepared  to  march  early  the  next 
morning  with  three  days  cooked  rations  in  haversacks. 
Fortunately  the  paymaster,  Major  Maxwell,  arrived  that 
day  and  paid  the  regiment  off  for  the  twenty-one  days 
owed  by  the  State  of  Pennsylvania,  we  having  been 
transferred,  to  the  United  States  service  on  the  21st  of 
July.  This  money  was  very  acceptable  to  the  empty 
pockets  of  the  men,  and  was  duly  appreciated  by  the 
citizens  of  Maryland  on  our  march  through  their  State. 


CHAPTER  VI. 

MARCH  THROUGH  MARYLAND.  MUTINY  IN  THE  NINETEENTH  NEW 
YORK  MILITIA.  GUARDS  AFTER  WHISKY.  DISBANDING  OF  COM 
PANIES. 

ONE  of  the  most  exciting  scenes  in  a  soldier's  life  is 
the  breaking  up  of  camp  when  they  have  been  lying 
inactive  for  some  time,  and  particularly  so  when  it  is  for 
the  first  time  in  active  field  service.  Although  the  order 
to  move  was  not  issued  until  10  o'clock  at  night,  and  rain 
was  falling  at  the  time,  the  camp  fires  were  soon  brightly 


54  OUR  CAMPAIGNS. 

burning  and  the  men  busily  engaged  in  preparing  their 
rations  for  the  march.  Early  the  next  morning,  before 
"reveille,"  the  men  were  all  up  and  stirring,  and  soon 
cooked  their  breakfasts  and  had  everything  ready  to  move. 
And  what  a  scene  of  animation  it  was !  The  striking  of 
tents,  the  packing  of  baggage,  the  loading  of  wagons, 
the  falling  in  of  the  men,  their  cheers  and  songs,  inter 
mingled  with  the  strains  of  martial  music,  the  shouts  and 
curses  of  the  drivers,  the  braying  of  mules,  the  galloping 
to  and  fro  of  orderlies  and  aids,  the  rattling  drums  and 
hoarse  commands — oh,  how  animated  and  exciting. 
"  Frank,  help  me  on  with  my  knapsack,"  "  Ben,  fix  my 
cartridge  box,"  "Charley,  hold  my  musket  while  I  go 
for  water,"  "  Take  my  canteen  along,"  shouts  a  dozen 
voices,  "  Who'se  got  a  piece  of  string,"  "Give  me  a  cork 
for  my  canteen,"  "  Who  wants  a  good  blouse,"  and  a 
thousand  other  similar  expressions  are  heard  through 
the  camps.  "  Fall  in,  fall  in,"  is  heard,  and  the  noise 
ceases  as  the  men  take  their  places. 

A  cold  drizzly  rain  was  falling,  as  the  wagons  moved 
from  the  encampment,  and  stretched  in  a  long  line  in  a 
neighboring  .field,  followed  by  the  regiment,  clad  in 
heavy  blue  overcoats.  Colonel  Thomas,  with  his  staff 
and  the  Second  U.  S.  Cavalry  dashed  past,  followed  by 
a  battery  of  the  Fourth  U.  S.  Artillery,  and  one  of  the 
Ninth  New  York.  The  Twenty-ninth  Penna.  Yols.,  Col 
onel  Murphy,  passed  next,  then  came  the  Second  Eeserve, 
Colonel  Mann,  followed  by  the  First  Eeserve  Eifles — the 
"Bucktails,"  Colonel  Biddle.  Next  came  the  Fifth  Con 
necticut,  Colonel  Ferry,  and  the  Nineteenth  New  York 
Volunteers,  and  a  long  line  of  other  troops,  but  the  smoke 
from  the  burning  rubbish  of  the  camp  hung  heavily  upon 
the  earth,  partially  obscuring  the  masses  of  men,  pre 
senting  a  scene  at  once  grand  and  interesting.  "  For 
ward,"  passed  down  the  line,  and  to  the  soul-stirring 
music  of  our  bands,  we  took  up  our  march,  striking  the 
banks  of  the  Potomac,  which  we  followed  for  a  short 
distance,  when  turning  to  the  left,  in  a  northeasterly 


MAUCH  THROUGH  MARYLAND.  55 

direction,  we  halted  at  intervals  to  rest  the  men  and  let 
the  wagons  come  up.  We  passed  through  Petersville,  a 
small  village  where  a  secession  flag  had  lately  been 
flying;  but  the  old  flag  of  our  hearts  now  floated  in  its 
stead.  In  the  afternoon  we  passed  through  Jefferson,  as 
pretty  a  village  as  Maryland  can  boast  of.  Our  bands 
struck  up  lively  marches,  and  smiling  faces  from  Union 
hearts,  and  waving  handkerchiefs  greeted  us,  as  we 
passed  along.  We  turned  to  the  right  toward  the  Point 
of  Kocks,  then  to  the  left  towards  Frederick,  moving 
over  a  narrow  road  through  the  woods,  to  the  left  of 
which  was  presented  a  magnificent  scene  of  rolling  hills 
and  wooded  valleys,  broken  in  the  far  distance  by  the 
lofty  peaks  of  the  Blue  Ridge.  At  dusk  we  halted  to 
select  a  bivouacking  ground,  and  then  moving  off  entered 
a  thick  woods,  where  our  blazing  camp  fires  were  soon 
surrounded  by  the  wearied  soldiers.  The  flakes  rose 
high  in  the  air;  the  flames  casting  their  lurid  light 
through  the  arching  branches  of  the  majestic  trees ;  and 
wrapped  in  our  blankets,  with  our  feet  to  the  fire,  we 
slept  peacefully  until  "  reveille."  Our  march  that  day 
was  fifteen  miles. 

The  next  day  we  started  early,  it  being  cloudy,  drizzly 
and  oppressively  close,  and  by  noon  crossed  a  branch  of 
the  Monocacy,  and  encamped  on  its  banks  in  a  wheat 
stubble,  having  made  but  six  miles.  Here  we  were  met 
by  Dr.  Hoyt,  our  quartermaster,  who  had  gone  ahead 
to  procure  provisions  and  wood  for  us. 

The  next  morning,  the  19th,  we  moved  at  eight  o'clock, 
through  a  drizzling  rain  and  deep  mud,  passing  through 
Buckeystown  whose  inhabitants  are  of  strong  secession 
proclivity.  Not  a  flag  was  seen  or  a  handkerchief  waved 
to  welcome  us.  The  darkies  and  children  were  highly 
delighted  with  the  music  and  novel  sight,  the  men  stayed 
in  the  houses  and  peeped  through  cracks,  but  the 
women's  curiosity  overcoming  them,  stood  at  the  doors 
and  windows  looking  pictures  of  woful  sorrow.  About 
a  mile  from  here  we  crossed  the  Monocacy  and  encamped 


50  OUR   CAMPAIGNS. 

on  its  banks,  having  marched  eight  miles.  Here  we 
found  concentrated  a  large  number  of  other  troops.  As 
wo  did  not  move  the  next  day,  the  men  had  a  good  time 
bathing,  several  thousands  of  them  enjoying  it  at  once, 
resembling  as  they  sat  on  the  innumerable  rocks  in  the 
river,  flocks  of  penguins.  That  night  we  sent  off  all  our 
sick  to  the  general  hospital  at  Frederick. 

The  next  morning  we  struck  tents  and  got  into  motion 
early,  passing  through  Urbana,  and  encamping  about 
noon  near  Hyattstown,  we  having  marched  six  miles. 
There  the  next  day,  August  22d,  a  mutiny  broke  out  in 
the  Nineteenth  New  York  State  Militia.  This  regiment 
had  been  sworn  into  the  State  service  for  two  years,  and 
transferred  to  the  United  States  under  the  President's 
second  call.  The  term  of  three  months  having  expired, 
the  men  claimed  that  they  were  released  from  further 
service,  and  that  the  Government  had  no  right  to  con 
tinue  them  in  the  service  for  the  balance  of  the  two 
years.  In  fact,  they  tried  the  same  game  on,  that  had 
been  so  successfully  played  by  the  mutineers  of  our  reg 
iment,  but  they  had  the  wrong'  man  to  deal  with.  The 
regiment  was  formed,  the  wings  doubled  up,  faced  in 
wards  and  arms  stacked.  The  wings  were  then  marched 
to  the  rear,  leaving  about  sixty  paces  between  them,  a 
portion  of  the  articles  of  war  and  the  governor's  orders 
read  to  them,  and  those  who  were  willing  to  obey,  ordered 
to  step  to  the  front.  But  one  hundred  and  eighty  did  so. 
These  were  placed  on  guard  over  the  rest,  and  the  "  Buck- 
tails1'  sent  for.  In  the  mean  time  a  battery  of  artillery 
was  unlimbered  and  placed  in  position  about  three  hun 
dred  yards  from  them  and  soon  after  the  "  Bucktails" 
came  down  on  double  quick  and  were  formed  into  two 
lines.  The  mutineers  remained  silent,  quietly  watching 
the  proceedings,  when  Colonel  Biddle  rode  up,  and  giv 
ing  the  necessary  orders  marched  them  into  the  space 
between  his  lines,  and  escorted  them  to  an  open  field, 
where  they  enjoyed  the  luxury  of  a  broiling  sun  for  the 
remainder  of  the  clav,  and  a  drenching  rain  all  niurht, 


GUARDS   AFTER  WHISKY.  57 

which  cooled  them  off  and  refreshed  them  wonderfully. 
The  next  morning  the  patriots  were  so  transmogrified, 
that  all  but  -a  few  returned  to  duty,  and  the  balance  were 
shipped  to  the  Tortugas.  This  regiment  afterwards 
proved  itself  one  of  the  bravest  and  most  gallant  in  the 
service,  and  this  little  freak  of  theirs  proves  that  upon 
such  occasions  it  only  requires  firmness  and  judgment  to 
keep  men  in  the  right  path  and  prevent  them  from  dis 
gracing  themselves. 

We  remained  in  ca*mp  until  noon  of  that  day,  when 
we  marched  to  the  southward  about  one  mile,  and  en 
camped  on  the  skirt  of  a  fine  piece  of  wood,  where  the 
ground  was  high  and  dry.  Here  considerable  labor  was 
spent  in  fixing  up  our  camp,  digging  sinks  and  cutting 
a  broad  path  through  the  wood  for  the  camp  guard  to 
move  on.  In  obedience  to  orders  the  baggage  was  very 
much  reduced,  officers  being  limited  to  eighty  pounds, 
and  the  men  to  what  they  could  carry  on  their  backs. 
Two  axes,  one  hatchet,  five  mess-pans,  two  camp  kettles, 
were  allowed  to  twenty  men,  and  one  tent  to  six.  This, 
at  that  time  was  exceedingly  limited,  but  we  afterwards 
learned  to  look  upon  it  as  sufficient  for  a  whole  company. 
On  the  2-ith,  Company  E,  Captain  J.  Orr  Finnie,  was 
ordered  to  escort  a  train  of  one  hundred  wagons  to 
Washington,  which  they  did  successfully,  and  rejoined 
us  on  the  march  back. 

Considerable  liquor  having  been  introduced  into 

camp,  Colonel  Mann  ordered  Captain with  his 

company  and  part  of  If,  to  seize  and  destroy  all  he  could 
find  in  the  neighborhood.  Sixteen  barrels  belonging  to 
a  storekeeper  at  Charlesburg  were  destroyed,  for  which 
the  Government  paid.  But  the  hardest  job  was  to  find 
the  liquor  belonging  to  a  man  who  had  followed  the 
regiment  from  Easton,  Pennsylvania.  He  generally  kept 
his  liquor  a  mile  or  two  off)  and  went  to  the  huts  and 
farm  houses  near  the  camp,  and  represented  himself  as 
a  sutler  waiting  for  his  team.  By  the  time  he  sold  out 
liis  jug  of  whkkey,  the  guards  would  discover  his  where- 


58  OUR   CAMPAIGNS. 

abouts,  and  when  they  arrived  he  was  gone  to  refill,  and 
the  next  day  would  commence  operations  at  some  other 
cabin.  At  the  railroad  station  near  Buckeystown,  he 
played  an  exceedingly  sharp  trick  on  all  concerned.  A 
tavern  keeper  there  was  doing  a  lively  business  at  five 

cents  per  glass.  had  but  one  keg,  and  wanted  to 

make  the  most  out  of  it  possible,  so  he  got  some  of  the 
men  drunk  and  succeeded  in  raising  a  light,  when  he 
immediately  reported  it  to  one  of  the  colonels,  who  shut 
the  tavern  up.  Then opened  his  keg  in  a  bye- 
place,  and  sold  out  at  ten  cents  per  glass.  But  his  time 
soon  after  came,  they  caught  him,  destroyed  his  liquor, 
and  he  was  banished  from  our  regiment  forever  after 
wards.  He  was  a  fair  sample  of  camp  followers. 

On  the  27th,  the  First  Brigade,  Colonel  George  H. 
Thomas,  consisting  of  the  Second  United  States  Cavalry, 
one  battery  Fourth  United  States  Artillery,  one  battery 
Ninth  New  York,  the  First  Eifles,  P.  R.  Y.  C.,  "  Buck- 
tails,"  Colonel  Biddle ;  the  Second  Infantry,  P.  E.  Y.  C., 
Colonel  Mann;  the  Twenty-ninth  Pennsylvania  Yolun- 
teers,  Colonel  Murphy;  the  Nineteenth  New  York  State 
Militia,  Colonel ,  and  the  Fifth  Connecticut,  Colo 
nel  Ferry,  were  reviewed  by  Major-General  Nathaniel  P. 
Banks.  The  day  unfortunately  was  drizzling,  which  in 
a  measure  spoiled  the  effect.  However,  as  the  cavalry, 
artillery  and  infantry  wheeled  into  column,  and  passed 
in  review,  they  presented  a  fine  appearance.  The  bands 
of  each  regiment  wheeled  to  the  left  out  of  the  column 
in  front  of  the  general,  and  continued  playing  until  the 
regiment  passed,  when  it  followed  in  the  rear.  The 
colonels  took  their  position  by  the  side  of  the  general 
until-  their  command  passed,  the  officers  and  colors 
saluting,  and  the  men  coming  to  a  carry.  The  next 
afternoon,  the  Second  Brigade  was  reviewed  by  the 
general,  but  it  rained  then  also. 

While  lying  here,  an  order  was  issued  by  General 
Banks,  disbanding  Companies  B,  F,  G  and  I,  on  the 
ground  of  being  "  below  the  legal  standard  of  accept- 


DISBANDING   OF   COMPANIES.  59 

a'nce,"  the  men  being  transferred*  to  the  other  companies 
of  the  regiment,  and  the  officers  honorably  discharged. 
There  were  some  points  in  this  order  worthy  of  observa 
tion.  The  companies  could  not  be  "accepted,"  although 
they  had  been  regularly  mustered  into  the  United  States 
service  nearly  a  month  before,  and  the  officers  had  been 
in  the  exercise  and  discharge  of  their  duties  during  that 
time,  and  were  recognized  as  such,  they  subsequently 
drawing  their  pay.  Again,  the  officers  were  "honor 
ably  discharged"  from  the  United  States  service,  which 
the  order  stated  they  could  not  be  "  accepted"  into.  But 
the  most  important  point  in  regard  to  the  order  is,  that 
it  was  illegal,  there  being  no  authority  to  discharge  an 
officer  from  the  army,  except  by  order  of  the  President 
of  the  United  States.  This  is  distinctly  stated  in  the 
Army  Eegulations  of  1861,  and  was  subsequently  ad 
mitted  to  the  author,  by  the  Honorable  Simon  Cameron, 
Secretary  of  War.  General  Banks,, however,  had  but 
lately  entered  upon  his  military  life,  and  doubtless  was 
ignorant  of  the  laws  upon  the  subject,  or  else  it  is  hardly 
to  be  supposed  he  would  have  assumed  a  power  not 
vested  in  him,  and  that  too,  when  he  had  received  orders 
to  send  all  the  Pennsylvania  Reserves  to  General  McCall. 
General  McCall  entertained  the  same  opinion  of  the  ille 
gality  of  the  order,  and  protested  against  it,  but  Fitz 
John  Porter  was  indirectly  connected  with  the  arrange 
ment,  and  he,  with  General  Banks,  were  favorites  of  Mr. 
Cameron,  and  their  friends  were  pushing  them  for  posi 
tions,  so  the  Secretary  would  not  revoke  an  order  he 
acknowledged  to  be  illegal. 

This  was  a  gross  act  of  injustice,  as  the  officers  were 
no  more  responsible  for  the  loss  of  the  men,  than  if  they 
had  been  killed  in  battle,  but  the  colonel  finding  his 
ranks  greatly  reduced,  was  unwilling  to  await  the  slow 
process  of  recruiting,  and  supposing  the  governor  would 
immediately  order  four  full  companies  to  fill  up  the  regi 
ment,  he  sanctioned  the  act.  But  His  Excellency  could 
not  be  induced  to  assign  companies  in  their  place,  and 


60  OUE   CAMPAIGNS. 

so  far  from  acknowledging  the  legality  of  the  act,  ne 
soon  after  issued  commissions  to  the  officers.  The  offi 
cers  discharged  were  Captains  P.  McDonough,  T.  Bring- 
hurst,  E.  M.  Woodward  and  William  Knox.  First  Lieu 
tenants  John  D.  Schock,  George  W.  Kite,  John  K. 
Brown  and  Thomas  Weir.  Second  Lieutenants  John 
Gill,  William  Edwards  and  John  H.  Jack.  One  lieu 
tenant  of  the  companies  was  not  discharged,  another  dis 
charged  who  had  resigned  a  month  before,  and  had  not 
been  mustered  into  the  United  States  service,  and  another 
transferred  to  a  company  in  which  there  was  no  vacancy. 
Captain  McDonough  raised  another  company,  joined  the 
regiment  at  Camp  Pierpont,  and  was  subsequently  pro 
moted  lieutenant-colonel.  Captain  Woodward  entered 
the  ranks  along  with  his  men  who  remained  true,  was 
appointed  sergeant-major  of  the  regiment  and  at  the 
battle  of  Antietam,  promoted  adjutant.  Captain  Knox 
was  appointed  sutler,  and  continued  with  the  regiment 
until  May,  1862.  Of  the  lieutenants,  John  H.  Jack 
returned  with  Captain  McDonough,  was  wounded  at  the 
battle  of  Bull  Eun,  and  promoted  captain  for  gallant 
conduct.  John  K.  Brown  for  a  year  was  connected  with 
the  brigade  commissary.  Wm.  Edwards  entered  the 
Curtin  Light  Guard  as  orderly  sergeant,  and  George  W. 
Kite  the  Ninety-first  Regiment  Pennsylvania  Volunteers. 
About  this  time  First  Lieutenant  Isaac  J.  Harvey,  Com 
pany  K,  was  detailed  to  the  Signal  Corps. 

'  On  the  28th,  orders  were  received  to  draw  provisions 
and  prepare  to  march,  and  during  the  evening  there  was 
a  busy  time  cooking  and  packing  up.  At  three  o'clock 
the  next  morning  the  reveille  sounded,  and  soon  the 
camp  was  all  astir,  and  at  seven  we  took  up  our  line  of 
march,  the  rain  descending  in  torrents,  drenching  us  to 
the  skin.  But  onward  the  men  pressed  through  the 
mud,  and  about  four  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  after  a  tire 
some  march  of  only  eight  miles,  went  into  camp  about 
two  miles  from  Darnestown.  The  next  day  Colonel 
Thomas'was  detached  from  the  command  of  our  brigade, 


TENALLYTOWN.  61 

which  devolved  upon  Colonel  Charles  J.  Biddle,  of  the 
"Bucktails."  The  regiment  remained  here  until  the  19th 
of  September,  when  at  eleven  o'clock  at  night  the  "  long 
roll "  awakened  the  sleepers.  Getting  under  arms  and 
into  line,  we  moved  off  in  a  southeasterly  direction,  and 
after  a  march  of  eight  miles  arrived  at  Muddy  Branch, 
a  tributary  of  the  Potomac,  where  we  were  sent  to  guard 
a  supply  train.  Here  we  remained  until  the  25th,  when 
we  again  moved,  marching  fifteen  miles,  to  Tenallytown, 
where  we  joined  the  Division  of  Pennsylvania  Reserves, 
under  Brigadier-General  George  A.  McCall. 


CHAPTER  VII. 

TENALLYTOWN.  VISIT  FROM  THE  PRESIDENT  AND  GENERAL 
MCCLELLAN.  PRESENTATION  OF  FLAGS.  A  HAIL-STORM.  THE 
REGIMENTS  BRIGADED. 

TENALLYTOWN  is  situated  at  the  junction  of  the  Rock- 
ville  and  Poolesville  roads  with  the  Georgetown  road, 
three  miles  from  the  latter  town,  and  one  mile  and  a 
half  from  the  Chain  Bridge.  Here  was  erected  Fort 
Pennsylvania,  a  most  important  and  formidable  earth 
work,  with  a  broad  and  deep  ditch,  heavy  abatis,  and 
guns  mounted  barbette.  It  was  built  by  the  Reserves, 
details  being  made  from  all  the  regiments  for  that  pur 
pose. 

Prior  to  our  arrival  several  interesting  ceremonies 
took  place,  among  which  was  a  grand  review  of  the  Di 
vision  by  His  Excellency  Mr.  Lincoln,  attended  by  his 
Cabinet,  and  Major-General  George  B.  McClellan,  com 
manding  the  Army  of  the  Potomac.  The  next  day  the 
following  order  was  issued  and  read  at  the  head  of  the 
regiments  of  the  Reserves  on  dress-parade  : 


. 

62  OUR   CAMPAIGNS. 

HEADQUARTERS  PENNSYLVANIA  RESERVE  VOLUNTEER  CORPS, 
Gamp  Tenally,  August  21  st,  1861. 

Soldiers  of  the  Pennsylvania  Reserve  !  This  day  must  be 
recognized  as  a  propitious  inauguration  of  your  future 
military  history.  You  have  this  day  passed  under  the 
scrutinizing  inspection  of  the  Commanding  General  of 
the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  in  whose  ability  to  success 
fully  prosecute  this  war,  the  confidence  of  the  country 
is  reposed.  You  have  passed  in  review  before  the  Presi 
dent  of  the  United  States  and  his  Cabinet ;  and  both  the 
General  and  the  President  have  expressed  to  me  their 
unqualified  approval  of  your  soldierlike  appearance  on 
review,  and  of  the  discipline  thus  manifestly  shown  to 
exist  in  the  corps. 

It  now  rests  with  you,  officers  of  the  Pennsylvania 
Reserve,  to  carry  out  to  perfection  the  work  so  well 
begun.  Upon  you  devolves  the  care  of  your  men;  let 
that  be  unremitting ;  let  every  attention  to  their  wants 
temper  the  rigid  discipline  necessary  to  the  formation  of 
the  soldier,  and  with  one  heart  we  will  uphold  the  flag 
of  our  State,  and  place  her  name  among  the  foremost  in 
the  cause  of  our  common  country.  , 

GEO.'A.  McCALL,       % 

Brigadier-General  Commanding. 

On  the  10th  of  September,  the  presentation  of  the 
flags,  the  gift  of  the  Society  of  the  Cincinnati,  of  Penn 
sylvania,  to  the  Reserves  took  place.  But  nine  regiments 
were  present,  which  were  drawn  up  in  a  large  field  adjoin 
ing  the  River  Road.  The  color  companies  of  each  regiment 
were  marched  to  the  front  with  their  colonel  on  their 
right.  Soon  the  swelling  notes  of  a  fine  band  were 
heard  far  away  in  the  distance,  and  as  the  music  ap 
proached  the  guns  of  Fort  Pennsylania  and  Campbell's 
batteries  of  the  First  Reserve  Artillery  thundered  forth 
their  salutes,  which  echoed  from  hill  to  hill,  and  rever 
berated  through  the  valleys  until  it  seemed  like  the  roar 
of  battle.  Ere  the  sound  had  died  away,  the  First  Re 
serve,  Colonel  Simmons,  and  a  procession  of  carriages 


I 
PRESENTATION   OF   FLAGS.  63 

appeared  in  view,  containing  His  Excellency  the  Presi 
dent  of  the  United  States,  accompanied  by  his  Cabinet, 
Governor  Curtin  and  General  McClellan,  with  a  host  of 
government  and  Pennsylvania  officials,  reporters,  &c. 
The  flags  were  produced,  and  Governor  Curtin  com 
menced  the  presentation,  and  as  each  colonel  received 
his  regimental  flag,  he  briefly  returned  thanks  for  the 
gift.  The  presentation  being  over,  the  Governor  ad 
dressed  the  troops.  When  he  told  them  that  they  were  his 
fellow-citizens  and  Pennsylvanians,  and  that  the  honor 
and  faith  of  Pennsylvania,  to  the  last  drop  of  her  blood, 
and  the  last  dollar  of  her  resources,  were  pledged  to  the 
support  of  the  Government,  and  the  maintenance  of  our 
beloved  institutions,  he  mounted  the  back  seat  of  the 
carriage,  and  declaring  that  he  was  in  full  view  of  thou 
sands  of  her  citizens  assembled  to  carry  that  determina 
tion  into  effect,  the  enthusiasm  was  unbounded,  and 
cheer  after  cheer  went  up  from  thousands  of  manly 
throats. 

General  McCall  briefly  replied  to  the  Governor,  thank 
ing  him  for  the  gifts,  and  giving  the  assurance  that  the 
colors  would  never  be  dishonored. 

The  presentation  over,  the  regiments  wheeled  into 
columns  of  companies  and  passed  in  review  before  the 
Governor.  After  this  the  company  attending  the  Presi 
dent  and  Governor  partook  of  a  collation,  in  pic-nic 
style,  in  the  grove  fronting  General  McCall's  headquar 
ters.  There  were  several  ladies  in  the  party — Mrs. 
Governor  Curtin,  Mrs.  General  Maxwell,  and  others, 
whose  presence  added  greatly  to  the  pleasure  of  the 
occasion.  The  greatest  sociability  prevailed,  and  all 
present  enjoyed  themselves.  President  Lincoln  was  in 
his  happiest  mood,  and  was  the  life  of  the  company 
Wit  and  sentiment  ruled  the  hour,  without  stiff  for 
mality.  Through  with  the  repast,  they  stepped  into 
their  carriages,  and  passing  over  the  Chain  Bridge  into 
Virginia,  returned  to  Washington,  via  the  Long  Bridge. 

While  we  laid  here  heavy  details  were  made  daily 


/  * 

64  OUK   CAMPAIGNS. 

for  picket,  cattle-guard,  or  working  parties  on  the  fort, 
besides  which  Colonel  Mann  was  indefatigable  in  his 
efforts  to  discipline  the  regiment  by  constant  battalion 
and  company  drills.  Several  demonstrations  of  the 
enemy's  pickets  created  alarms  in  camp,  and  caused  us 
to  get  under  arms,  all  of  which  were  pleasant  little 
excitements  for  the  men.  On  the  7th  of  October,  we 
were  visited  by  a  violent  hail-storm  accompanied  with 
a  high  wind.  'Some  of  the  stones  were  of  the  size  of 
bullets,  cutting  through  the  tents,  and  almost  driving 
the  horses  wild.  The  storm  lasted  about  a  half  hour, 
leaving  the  atmosphere  quite  cool.  The  next  day  the 
fall  election  taking  place  in  our  State,  the  Eeserves 
exercised  their  right  of  casting  their  vote,  each  com 
pany  voting  at  its  captain's  quarters.  About  this  time 
Lieutenant-Colonel  Magilton  resigned. 

While  we  laid  here  the  organization  of  the  regiments 
into  brigades  took  place. 

The  First  Brigade,  Brigadier-General  John  F.  Rey- 
nolds,  was  comprised  of  the  First  Rifles,  "Bucktails,' 
Colonel  Charles  J.  Biddle ;  the  First  Infantry,  Colonel 
E.  Biddle  Roberts ;  the  Second  Infantry,  Colonel  Wil 
liam  B.  Mann;  the  Fifth  Infantry,  Colonel  Seneca  G. 
Simmons ;  and  -the  Eighth  Infantry,  Colonel  Geor 
Hays. 

The  Second  Brigade,  Brigadier-General  George  Gor 
don  Meade,  was  composed  of  the  Third  Infantry,  Colonel 
Horatio  G.  Sickel ;  the  Fourth  Infantry,  Colonel  A.  L. 
Magilton;  the  Eleventh  Infantry,  Colonel  T.  F.  Gal 
lagher  :  and  the  Seventh  Infantry,  Colonel  E.  B.  Harvey. 

The  Third  Brigade,  Colonel  J.  S.  McCa'mont,  was 
composed  of  the  Sixth  Infantry,  Colonel  W.  W.  Ricketts ; 
the  Ninth  Infantry,  Colonel  Conrad  F.  Jackson  ;  the  Tenth 
Infantry,  Colonel  J.  S.  McCalmont;  and  the  Twelfth,  In 
fantry,  Colonel  John  H.  Taggart. 

The  First  Reserve  Cavalry,  Colonel  George  D.  Bayard, 
and  the  First  Reserve  Artillery,  Colonel  Charles  F.  Camp 
bell,  although  attached  to  the  division  were  not  brigaded. 


1 
CROSSING   THE   CHAIN   BRIDGE.  65 


CHAPTER  YIIT. 

CROSSING  THE  CHAIN  BRIDGE.  CAMP  PIERPONT.  THE  "LONG 
ROLL."  BEAUREGARD  RECONNOITRING.  MARCH  TO  DRAINES- 
TILLE.  AN  INDISCREET  HEN.  RETURN  TO  PlERPONT.  BALL'S 
BLUFF.  REVIEW.  RESIGNATION  OF  COLONEL  MANN.  GRAND 
REVIEW. 

EAELY  on  the  morning  of  the  9th,  General  Smith  ad 
vanced  his  division  from  the  neighborhood  of  the  Chain 
Bridge  to  Langley,  where  deploying  his  skirmishers,  he 
pushed  forward  a  brigade  on  the  Drainesville  pike,  and 
took  possession  of  Prospect  Hill.  With  his  main  body, 
he  diverged  from  the  pike  at  Langley  to  the  left,  ad 
vancing  towards  Lewinsville,  which  village  he  entered 
and  occupied  without  opposition,  leaving  the  main  por 
tion  of  his  troops  at  Smoot's  Hill,  and  pushing  on  a  de 
tachment  to  occupy  Miner's  Hill. 

To  occupy  this  extension  of  the  lines,  the  same  day 
orders  were  issued  to  the  Pennsylvania  Reserves  to  march, 
and  in  a  short  time  their  tents  were  struck,  wagons  loaded 
and  men  in  line.  At  seven  o'clock  in  the  evening  our 
regiment  took  up  its  line  of  march,  passing  eastward 
through  Tenallytown,  and  turning  to  the  right,  wound 
down  a  long,  narrow,  rough  road  to  the  Potomac,  along 
which  it  moved  to  the  Chain  Bridge,  and  set  foot  for  the 
first  time  upon  the  "  sacred  soil  of  Virginia."  As  the 
regiments  crossed,  their  bands  struck  up  "  Dixie's  Land," 
and  their  vociferous  cheers  burst  forth,  echoing  from 
shore  to  shore  of  the  rock-bound  river.  Moving  on  past 
Fort  Marcy  they,  bivouacked  for  the  night  about  half  a 
mile  beyond  Langley,  Fairfax  county. 

The  next  afternoon  the  wagons  arrived,  the  tents  were 
pitched,  and  Camp  Pierpont  established,  named  in  honor 
of  Frank  II.  Pierpont,  the  loyal  Governor  of  "Western 
Virginia.  The  position  assigned  to  the  Reserves  was 

5 


66  OUR  CAMPAIGNS. 

the  extreme  right  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  their 
picket  line  extending  from  the  river  past  Prospect  Hill 
over  towards  Lewinsville.  The  camp  of  the  Second  was 
to  the  right  of  the  Chain  Bridge  and  Drairiesville  pike, 
on  a  low  and  badly  drained  piece  of  ground,  at  the  base 
of  a  wooded  hill,  near  the  Langley  School-House,  which 
was  occupied  as  the  head-quarters  of  the  First  Brigade. 

Daring  the  first  ten  days,  the  "long  roll"  was  beaten, 
and  the  men  got  under  arms  five  times.  On  the  night 
of  the  llth,  the  pickets  in  the  neighborhood  of  Lewins 
ville  were  driven  in,  and  the  next  day  the  enemy  consist 
ing  of  at  least  three  regiments  of  infantry,  some  cavalry 
and  a  battery  of  six  guns,  were  discovered  near  Miner's 
Hill,  concealed  in  the  woods,  which  led  to  the  supposi 
tion  that  an  attack  was  meditated  the  next  morning.  At 
noon  the  drums  beat,  and  the  men  got  into  fighting 
order.  General  McClellan  and  staff,  including  the  Comte 
de  Paris  and  the  Due  de  Chartres,  rode  over  and  re- 
mainded  during  the  night  at  Smoot's  house,  and  at  mid 
night  the  drums  again  beat  and  every  preparation  was 
made  for  an  attack.  , 

It  was  a  clear  and  beautiful  night,  the  moon  shone 
forth  in  its  mild  beauty ;  the  stars  twinkled  with  resplend 
ent  glory,  and  not  a  cloud  glided  through  the  sky.  The 
drums  beat  "the  long  roll,"  the  trumpets  of  the  cavalry 
and  artillery  sounded  their  shrill  blasts,  and  the  bands 
of  the  infantry  pealed  forth  their  most  soul-inspiring 
strains.  The  camp-fires  burned  brightly,  the  glittering 
bayonets  and  sabres  flashed  in  the  light,  and  every  heart 
beat  high  with  hope.  At  two  A.  M.,  various  columns 
of  troops,  on  the  Maryland  side  of  the  Potomac,  were 
put  in  motion,  and  moved  across  the  river  to  a  position 
from  which  they  could  be  easily  thrown  to  any  point  of 
the  line  the  emergency  might  require.  Among  them 
were  some  four  thousand  cavalry  and  fifty  pieces  of  artil 
lery.  But  alas,  after  remaining  in  position  until  day 
light,  chilled  with  the  falling  dews,  theboys'were  doomed 
to  disappointment.  Beauregard  had  only  been  on  a 


A   FRIGHTENED  ORDERLY.  67 

reconnoisance  in  force,  to  ascertain  our  position  since 
the  recent  extension  of  our  front. 

About  this  time  Orderly  Sergeant  Richard  Clendining, 
Company  H;  was  elected  Second  Lieutenant;  vice  Eobert 
H.  Porter,  resigned,  July  21st.  Also,  Sergeant  James  R. 
Nightingale,  Company  0,  Second  Lieutenant,  vice  Frank 
Fox,  resigned. 

About  eleven  o'clock  on  the  night  of  the  18th,  orders 
were  issued  for  the  Reserves  to  prepare  to  move  early 
the  next  morning,  with  three  days  cooked  rations  in 
haversacks,  and  accordingly  there  was  a  busy  time  that 
night  around  the  camp-fires.  Early  in  the  morning,  the 
regiments  were  in  lme,  and  at  seven  o'clock  they  moved 
off  up  the  pike  towards  Drainesville.  The  First  Brigade, 
General  Reynolds  took  the  lead  with  a  squadron  of  the 
Reserve  cavalry,  Colonel  Bayard  in  the  van,  followed  by 
two  batteries  of  the  Reserve  artillery,  Colonel  Campbell, 
the  "Bucktails"  and  infantry  with  the  ambulances,  or 
"  avalanches,"  as  the  boys  called  them,  bringing  up  the 
rear.  Crossing  Difficult  creek,  we  continued  on  through 
Drainesville,  and  halted  to  bivouac  three  miles  beyond. 
Soon  after  General  McClellan  rode  up  and  ordered  us 
to  fall  back  about  four  miles  to  Thornton's  house,  at  the 
forks  of  the  Chain  Bridge  and  Leesburg  and  Alexandria 
pikes.  The  artillery  was  posted  to  sweep  the  roads, 
pickets  thrown  out,  and  the  men  put  in  a  heavy  woods, 
where  they  slept  peacefully. 

When  we  first  commenced  our  retrograde  movement 
many  surmises  that  soon  assumed  the  shape  of  rumors 
were  set  afloat,  and  as  we  at  that  time  were  incapable  of 
judging  of  military  movements,  they  received  much 
credence.  An  orderly  came  dashing  down  the  road  in 
search  of  General  Reynolds  and^  almost  breathlessly*  in 
formed  him,  there  were  "forty  thousand  rebels  coming 
down  upon  us."  "Forty  thousand  old  fools,"  replied 
the  General,  "  go  back  to  where  you  came  from." 

The  Second  Brigade  lay  that  night  about  three  miles 
in  our  rear,  and  the  Third  about  three  miles  in  their  rear 


68  OUR   CAMPAIGNS. 

at  Difficult  creek,  to  preserve  our  communication  and 
prevent  our  rear  being  turned,  General  Smith's  division 
was  also  moved  out  the  Alexandria  and  Leesburg  turn 
pike,  to  cover  that  road  and  those  leading  from  Centre- 
ville  to  Drainesville. 

The  next  morning  by  daylight  the  boys  were  up  and 
hard  at  work  cutting  down  the  chestnut  trees  in  the 
woods  to  get  the  nuts,  and  the  squealing  of  pigs  was 
heard  in  various  directions.  An  old  hen  that  had  been 
roosting  on  a  tree  commenced  cackling,  which  attracted 
the  attention  of  a  soldier  who  was  passing  by.  "  Madam," 
said  the  boy,  "you  had  better  have  kept  your  mouth 
shut,"  as  he  knocked  her  off  with  a  stone.  These  pro 
ceedings  were  however  put  a  stop  to,  and  the  boys 
restricted  to  the  limits  of  the  camp. 

On  our  march  up  we  found  a  number  of  houses  aban 
doned  by  their  occupants,  who  had  fled  on  our  approach 
under  the  impression  we  were  Mamelukes  and  Bedouins 
coming  to  murder  and  destroy  all  we  found.  At  some 
places  we  found  the  furniture  carried  out  on  the  lawn 
ready  for  moving.  We  also  found  houses  that  had  been 
abandoned  for  some  time,  their  inhabitants  having  been 
driven  away  by  their  neighbors  on  account  of  their 
Union  sentiments. 

During  the  day  detachments  were  sent  out  to  recon 
noitre  the  neighboring  roads  and  country  and  make  a 
plane-table  survey  of  a  great  portion  of  it,  and  along  the 
Loudon  and  Hampshire  railroad  in  several  places  they 
encountered  the  enemy's  scouts,  killing  two  and  wound 
ing  four  of  them.  The  next  morning,  the  21st,  General 
McCall  having  accomplished  the  object  of  his  advance, 
in  obedience  to  orders  received  that  morning  from  Gen 
eral  McClellan,  returned  to  camp. 

Much  comment  was  made  at  the  time  through  the 
public  press  in  regard  to  this  movement,  as  the  battle  of 
"Ball's  Bluff"  took  place  upon  the  day  of  our  return, 
and  we  were  in  a  position  to  have  been  pushed  forward 


CHANGE   OF  CAMP.  69 

in  the  enemy's  rear,  and  probably  reversed  the  fortune 
of  the  clay. 

In  the  official  report  of  General  McClellan,  he  states 
that  General  Banks  sent  a  despatch  to  him  on  the  20th, 
that  the  signal  station  at  Sugar  Loaf  telegraphed  that 
the  enemy  had  moved  away  from  Leesburg,  upon  which 
he  telegraphed  to  General  Stone  that  McCall  occupied 
Drainesville,  and  desired  him  to  keep  a  good  look-out 
upon  Leesburg,  and  to  make  a  slight  demonstration,  to 
see  if  the  movement  had  the  effect  of  driving  them  away. 
This  despatch  was  received  by  General  Stone  at  eleven 
o'clock  A.  M.,  and  he  immediately  despatched  Captain 
Philbrick,  Fifteenth  Massachusetts  Volunteers  with 
twenty  men  on. a  reconnoissance  towards  Leesburg,  who 
returned  that  night  and  reported  having  advanced  within 
a  mile  of  the  town  without  finding  any  enemy.  He  had 
then  accomplished  all  that  had  been  expected  of  him. 
It  is  probable  that  that  night  he  conceived  the  idea  of 
capturing  the  town  by  a  brilliant  coup,  and  the  next  day 
commenced  the  crossing  of  infantry,  horses  and  artillery 
over  the  broad  and  rapid  river  in  three  scows.  The  dis 
astrous  results  of  this  rash  undertaking  are  well  known. 
General  Stone  acknowledged  before  the  "  Committee  on 
the  conduct  of  the  war,"  that  the  movement  on  the  21st 
originated  with  himself,  and  was  not  ordered  by  General 
McClellan. 

Upon  the  return  of  the  Reserves  to  camp,  General 
McCall  was  ordered  fo  rest  his  men,  and  to  hold  them  in 
readiness  to  return  to  Drainesville  at  a  moment's  notice. 

The  camp  of  our  regiment  was  moved  about  a  half 
mile  to  the  north-east,  on  a  fine  high  and  sloping  piece 
of  ground,  terminating  abruptly  towards  the  pike  in  a 
steep  hill.  At  the  base  of  this  were  the  quartermaster's 
and  sutler's  tents  and  the  guard  house.  On  the  crest 
was  located  the  field  and  staff)  and  on  the  slope  the  com 
pany  tents,  with  a  fine  parade  ground  beyond. 

About  this  time  First  Lieutenant  R.  II.  Loudon,  Com 
pany  A,  resigned,  and  Second  Lieutenant  Horace  Neide 


70  OUR    CAMPAIGNS. 

was  elected  to  fill  the  vacancy.  Orderly  Sergeant  John 
•J.  Ross  was  cliosen  second  lieutenant  of  the  same  com 
pany,  and  Mr.  Neide  was  appointed  adjutant  of  the 
regiment.  Quartermaster-sergeant  Wesley  S.  Mann 
having  some  time  before  been  honorably  discharged  the 
service,  John  L.  Benzon  was  appointed  in  his  place,  and 
"William  A.  Hoyt  made  commissary- sergeant. 

On  the  22d,  an  election  was  held  for  lieutenant  colonel, 
which  resulted  in  the  unanimous  choice  of  Major  Wil 
liam  McCandless. 

On  the  •  28th,  General  McCall  reviewed  the  Eeserve, 
consisting  of  the  thirteen  regiments  of  General  Reynolds 
and  Meade,  and  Colonel  McCalmont's  brigades,  the  First 
Reserve  Cavalry,  Colonel  George  D.  Bayard,  and  the 
First  Reserve  Artillery,  Colonel  Charles  F.  Campbell,  in 
front  of  Johnson's  Hill.  The  field  contained  but  about 
forty  acres,  the  regiments  were  formed  in  divisions  closed 
in  mass,  which  wheeled  into  column  in  mass,  and  moved 
forward  to  where  General  McCall  and  staff  were  stationed 
but  before  reaching  him,  the  divisions  broke  into  com 
panies  at  wheeling  distance,  and  passed  in  review.  When 
the  line  began  thus  to  uncoil  itself,  it  reached  a  great 
distance,  and  presented  a  splendid  spectacle. 

When  Colonel  Mann  raised  the  regiment,  his  intention 
was  to  remain  in  the  service  until  Washington  was  safe, 
and  on  the  first  of  November,  feeling  the  object  for  which 
he  came  out  was  accomplished,  he  resigned  and  returned 
to  his  profession.  While  in  command  of  the  regiment, 
he  was  assiduous  in  his  attention  to  the  welfare  of  the 
men,  frequently  examining  their  rations,  visiting  their 
quarters  and  the  hospital,  and  tempering  the  rigid  dis 
cipline  necessary  to  the  formation  of  a  soldier  with  a 
fatherly  care.  With  his  ability,  if  he  had  remained  in 
the  service,  and  had  not  had  his  "  light  put  out,"-  the 
eagles  upon  his  shoulders  would  have  undoubtedly 
soared  until  they  reached  the  stars. 

While  at  Tennallytown,  the  men  were  kept  half  of  the 
time  in  digging  earthworks  and  building  forts,  and  but 


GRAND   REVIEW.  71 

little  time  was  left  to  devote  to  battalion  drill.  But  here 
it  was  different,  besides  the  difficulty  of  getting  to  Wash 
ington  was  so  great,  that  few  cared  about  taking  the 
trouble  to  procure  a  pass.  The  result  was,  that  a  great 
portion  of  the  time  was  spent  in  drilling,  and  the  regi 
ments  being  all  encamped  within  sight  of  each  other, 
quite  a  rivalry  sprang  up  between  them,  as  to  which 
would  become  the  most  perfect.  The  effect  was  a  marked 
improvement  in  the  discipline  of  the  men. 

On  the  7th  the  regiment  was  paid  off  by  Major  Smith. 
About  the  same  time  we  exchanged  the  smooth-bore  for 
the  Harper's  Ferry  rifled  muskets. 

On  the  20th,  a  grand  review  of  a  portion  of  the  Army 
of  the  Potomac,  took  place  near  Hanson's  Hill,  in  a 
valley,  or  rather  plain,  two  miles  long  by  one  broad, 
stretching  to  the  east  towards  Bailey's  Gross  Koads. 
The  troops,  numbering  seventy -five  thousand,  rank  and 
file,  were  drawn  up  in  a  line,  forming  three  sides  of  a 
square.  Upon  the  right  were  cavalry  and  artillery,  and 
on  the  left  was  the  Pennsylvania  Eeserves.  Around  this 
immense  plain,  thousands  of  people  and  vehicles  were 
gathered.  Munson's  Hill  was  black  with  them,  and  the 
trees  and  houses  were  covered  with  men  and  boys.  Con 
siderable  time  was  occupied  in  getting  the  troops  into 
their  proper  positions,  and  the  centre  of  the  field  pre 
sented  an  animated  scene,  hundreds  of  aids  and  order 
lies  galloping  in  all  directions,  carrying  orders,  for  the 
different  divisions  and  brigades. 

At  twelve  o'clock,  noon,  a  cortege  consisting  of  Presi 
dent  Lincoln  and  lady,  in  an  open  barouche,  followed  by 
Secretaries  Seward  and  Cameron,  a  host  of  distinguished 
civilians  and  Foreign  Ministers  arrived,  and  took  post 
near  the  flag-staff,  in  the  centre  and  front  of  the  square. 
Soon  after  General  McClellan  arrived,  escorted  by  the 
Second  and  Fifth  United  States  Cavalry,  and  his  Body 
Guard,  and  took  post  to  thd  left  of  the  President,  sur 
rounded  by  his  Generals  and  Staff.  A  salvo  of  artillery 
announced  his  arrival.  The  President  and  Secretaries 


72  OUR   CAMPAIGNS. 

mounted  horses  and  rode  over  to  the  General,  and  they 
started  on  the  review.  Commencing  on  the  left,  they 
passed  down  by  the  Reserves,  and  as  the  party,  consist 
ing  of  some  three  hundred  officers,  generals  and  their 
staffs,  rode  up;  the  troops  commenced  cheering  and  the 
bands  playing.  As  they  galloped  down  the  line  at  the 
rate  of  fifteen  miles  an  hour,  the  terrific  roar  was  kept  up 
the  whole  way  through,  making  the  scene  intensely  thril 
ling.  After  passing  around,  a  position  was  taken,  and 
orders  given  for  the  column  to  pass  in  review.  First 
came  the  Reserves,  General  McCall,  which  after  passing, 
filed  to  the  right  and  marched  at  once  to  their  camp, 
some  ten  miles  off.  Then  followed  General  Heintzleman's 
Division,  which  passed  to  the  left,  and  marched  some 
fifteen  miles  to  their  post.  The  divisions  of  Generals 
Smith,  Franklin,  Blenker,  Porter  and  McDowell,  brought 
up  the  rear,  and  each  was  dismissed  and-  marched  di 
rectly  to  its  camp.  There  were  seventy  regiments  of 
infantry,  seventeen  batteries,  and  seven  regiments  of 
cavalry,  and  the  time  occupied  in  passing  was  three 
hours.  They  marched  in  column  of  division,  and  if  they 
had  been  in  the  usual  order,  it  would  have  taken  twice 
as  long.  It  was  by  far  the  finest  review  ever  witnessed 
on  this  continent. 

About  this  time  the  men  commenced  preparing  winter 
quarters.  These  consisted  of  walls  of  from  four  to  six 
logs  high,  with  wedge  tents  placed  over  them.  Floors 
of  boards  or  logs  were  put  down,  shelves  put  up,  and 
small  sheet-iron  stoves  put  in.  From  four  to  six  gene 
rally  bunked  together,  according  to  their  liking. 


SKIKMISH  NEAR  DRAINESVILLE.  73 


CHAPTER  IX. 

SKIRMISH  NEAR  DRAINESVILLE.  FORAGING  EXPEDITION.  BATTLE 
OF  DRAINESVILLE  VISIT  OF  GOVERNOR  CURTIN.  THE  BOYS  IN 
"WINTER.  CAMP  LIFE.  FIRING  FOR  MEDALS.  PICKETING.  "OLD 
UNCLE  BEN."  "  TAKING  FRENCH."  NAUGHTY  "  SELL.  " 

EARLY  in  the  evening  of  the  26th,  Colonel  Bayard 
with  five  hundred  and  fifty  men  of  the  Eeserve  Cavalry, 
started  on  a  scout  up  the  pike.  They  halted  at  Difficult 
Creek,  and  before  daylight,  proceeded  to  Drainesville, 
and  captured  four  pickets,  Charles  Colernan,  Philip  Car-' 
per,  Dr.  Day  and  son,  and  three  other  citizens.  On  the 
return  a  short  distance  from  Drainesville,  a  volley  was 
fired  from  the  woods,  mortally  wounding  Assistant-sur 
geon  Alexander,  and  slightly  two  men.  Colonel  Bayard 
and  Surgeon  Stanton  had  their  horses  killed  under 
them. 

A  portion  of  the  cavalry  were  immediately  dismounted, 
and  entering  the  woods,  killed  three  and  captured  six, 
including  Captain  Farley,  of  General  Bonham's  staff,  and 
Lieutenant  Carderees,  of  South  Carolina.  Thomas,  the 
brother  of  Charles  Coleman,  was  shot  in  the  eye  and 
breast,  and  died  a  few  days  afterwards.  On  the  return 
home  of  the  expedition,  they  were  met  by  Generals 
McCall  and  Eeynolds,  with  the  First  Brigade  of  the  Ee- 
serves,  and  three  batteries  of  artillery  coming  to  their 
aid.  These  Colemans  were  accused  of  shooting  wounded 
soldiers,  and  of  cutting  the  head  off  of  one  who  escaped 
from  the  first  Bull  Eun,  which  they  set  upon  a  pole  in 
front  of  their  tavern,  and  threw  his  body  to  the  hogs. 
Of  these  accusations  there  can  be  little  doubt,  as  much 
pains  were  taken  to  inquire  into  them,  and  it  was  found, 
that  while  several  of  their  neighbors  acknowledged  the 
fact,  others  said  they  had  heard  of  them,  and  none  gave 


74  OUR   CAMPAIGNS. 

a  direct  denial.  Thomas,  however,  we  presume,  is  now 
meditating  upon  his  deeds,  surrounded  by  an  infinite 
host  of  congenial  spirits,  whose  happiness  and  comfort  is 
receiving  the  attention  of  their  beloved  master  who 
.prompted  them  to  their  acts.  Captain  Farley  and  Lieu 
tenant  Carderees  were  on  a  courting  expedition  to  the 
Misses  —  — ,  who  lived  in  the  neighborhood,  and  got 
themselves  into  trouble  by  neglecting  their  lady  loves  to 
go  bushwhacking. 

On  the  29th,  Captain  McDonough,  whose  company 
had  been  disbanded  by  General  Banks,  at  Hyattstown, 
Md.,  arrived  with  a  new  company  and  was  assigned  his 
old  letter,  B.  The  lieutenants  were  John  H.  Jack  and 
James  C.  Manton,  the  former  being  one  of  the  officers 
whose  company  was  also  disbanded  at  the  same  time. 
This  gave  us  seven  companies. 

On  the  3d  of  December,  the  brigade  started  on  a  forag 
ing  expedition,  and  proceeded  about  -nine  miles  up  the 
pike  to  Mr.  Thomas'  House,  where  they  captured  a  large 
number  of  wagon  loads  of  corn,  etc.,  that  had  just  been 
collected  by  the  enemy.  Mr.  Thomas  was  an  agent  for 
the  Confederate  Government,  and  was  in  the  habit  of 
scouring  the  country  and  collecting  from  the  inhabitants, 
much  against  their  will,  bedding,  blankets,  clothing,  etc., 
for  the  use  of  the  army.  The  boys  returned  in  the  after 
noon  highly  delighted  with  their  expedition. 

While  the  roads  were  good,  General  McCall  sent  his 
expeditions  a  considerable  distance  from  camp,  reserving 
the  forage  near  by  for  winter,  but  this  prudential  fore 
sight  availed  him  little,  for  one  day  General  Smith, 
whose  division  laid  on  our  left,  sent  out  an  extraor 
dinary  strong  expedition  and  swept  the  whole  country 
in  our  front,  actually  gathering  within  sight  of  our 
pickets.  This  was  not  considered  exactly  the  fair  thing, 
but  further  than  a  good-natured  reproof  no  notice  was 
taken  of  it. 

On  the  12th,  there  was  a  review  of  the  Reserves.  On 
the  19th  we  practiced  with  blank  cartridges,  and  in  the 


BATTLE  OF   DRAINESVILLE.  75 

evening  received  orders  to  be  prepared  to  move  at  three 
o'clock  the  next  morning. 

THE  BATTLE  OF  DKAINESVILLE. — Early  on  the  morn 
ing  of  December  20,  1861,  Brigadier-General  Ord,  with 
the  "  Bucktails,"  Lieutenant- Colonel  Kane,  Easton's  bat 
tery  of  four  guns,  and  his  own  brigade,  the  Third,  con 
sisting  of  the  Sixth,  Captain  W.  G.  Ent;  the  Ninth, 
Colonel  C.  F.  Jackson ;  the  Tenth,  Colonel  J.  S.  McCal- 
rnont,  and  the  Twelfth,  Colonel  John  H.  Taggart, 
marched  through  Drainesviile  and  some  distance  be 
yond  on  a  foraging  expedition,  and  on  their  return 
about  two  and  a  half  o'clock,  they  discovered  the  enemy 
who  were  also  on  a  foraging  expedition,  approaching 
from  the  direction  of  Centreville,  on  the  Alexandria  and 
Leesburg  pike,  in  their  rear.  This  pike  joins  the  Chain 
Bridge  and  Leesburg  pike  a  short  distance  east  of 
Drainesviile,  near  Thornton's  house,  where  there  is  a 
heavy  woods  and  high  ground.  To  gain  this  position 
was  the  aim  of  both  parties,  and  General  Ord,  by  double 
quicking  his  command  succeeded.  The  Jbattle  soon 
opened  and  lasted  for  one  hour  and  a  half  with  great 
fury,  when  General  Ord  observing  the  enemy  to  waver 
ordered  a  charge,  when  they  broke  and  fled,  leaving 
their  killed  and  wounded  and  two  caissons  on  the  field, 
and  were  followed  by  our  victorious  troops  for  over  a 
mile.  The  enemy's  force  consisted  of  First  Kentucky 
Kifles,  the  First  and  Eleventh  Kentucky  Infantry,  the 
Tenth  Alabama  and  the  Sixth  South  Carolina  volun 
teers,  a  regiment  of  cavalry  and  a  battery  of  six  guns, 
commanded  by  Acting  Brigadier-general  John  H.  For 
ney.  Their  loss  in  killed  and  wounded  was  one  hundred 
and  sixty -five  men,  they  acknowledging  that  of  one  hun 
dred  and  fifty.  Among  their  killed  was  Colonel  Tom 
Taylor,  First  Kentucky  Kifles.  Our  loss  was  but  seven 
<  killed  and  forty-one  wounded,  including  four  officers, 
among  whom  was  Lieutenant-colonel  Kane,  slightly. 
"We  brought  all  our  killed  and  wounded,  many  of  the 
enemy's  wounded,  eight  prisoners,  and  fifty-eight  wagon 


76  OUR   CAMPAIGNS. 

loads  of  forage  to  camp.  General  McCall  arrived  upon 
the  field  during  the  action  and  took  command. 

General  Reynolds,  who  had  been  moved  with  his 
brigade  to  Difficult  creek,  immediately  upon  hearing 
the  sound  of  battle  put  his  column  in  motion,  striking 
across  the  country  to  the  left  for  the  purpose  of  inter 
cepting  the  enemy  in  their  retreat  on  the  Alexandria 
and  Leesburg  pike,  but  his  movement  was  counter 
manded  by  General  McCall,  whose  positive  instructions 
were  not  to  bring  on  a  general  engagement.  The 
Second  Brigade,  General  Meade,  was  also  put  in  motion, 
and  General  Hancock's  division  was  ordered  to  our 
support.  General  McClellan  proceeded  as  far  as  Miner's 
Hill,  where,  finding  the  battle  was  over,  he  returned. 

This  battle  was  the  first  victory  gained  by  the  Army 
of  the  Potomac,  and  after  the  disastrous  defeats  of  "  Bull 
Run"  and  "Ball's  Bluff)"  was  hailed  with  joy  by  the 
people  of  the  North. 

A  few  days  after  the  battle,  His  Excellency,  Governor 
Curtin,  visited  the  Reserves  to  congratulate  them  and 
care  for  the  wounded,  and  he  caused  the  flags  of  the 
regiments  that  participated  in  the  battle  to  be  sent  to 
Washington,  where  "  Drain esville,  December  20,  1861," 
was  inscribed  on  each  of  them,  after  which  they  were  re 
turned  to  them  in  the  presence  of  the  whole  division  and 
an  assemblage  of  distinguished  officials  and  civilians. 

On  the  14th  of  January,  Lieutenants  John  B.  Robinson 
and  J.  Baxter  Fletcher,  Sergeants  Joseph  Benison,  David 
II.  Pidgeon  and  Isaac  0.  Sharp,  were  detailed  to  proceed 
to  Philadelphia,  on  recruiting  service. 

On  the  20th,  the  regiment  was  paid  off  by  Major  Smith. 

Winter  now  set  in,  in  earnest,  and  the  "  sacred  soil  of 
Virginia  "  began  to  assume  very  much  the  appearance 
of  a  vast  mud-puddle.  Almost  every  day  it  drizzled, 
rained  and  snowed  alternately ;  the  sun  not  blessing  us 
with  its  genial  rays,  or  Jack  Frost  coming  to  our  relief 
to  extricate  us  from  the  mud.  Shoe  and  clothes  br-ushes 
were  at  a  discount.  Nice  young  men  who  formerly 


CAMP   LIFE.  77 

prided  themselves  on  their  kid  gloves  and  patent  leather 
boots,  began  to  realize  the  stern  necessities  of  the  case, 
and  officers,  sergeants,  corporals  and  privates  wandered 
about  in  a  promiscuous  mass,  floundering  and  splashing 
in  the  mire  as  happy  as  young  ducks  in  a  mud-puddle. 
Nature  happily  has  formed  man  to  be  contented  with 
circumstances,  and  what  seems  the  height  of  misery  to 
the  imagination,  in  reality  loses  much  of  its  unpleas 
antness.  The  boys  ate  their  rations,  thought  of  their 
sweethearts,  slept  warmly  in  their  bunks,  stood  in  the 
mud  on  guard  and  shivered  on  picket,  making  the  best 
of  their  situation,  occasionally  wishing  the  war  was  over, 
and  having  slight  hopes  of  furloughs  in  the  future. 

The  reveille  rattles  and  up  springs  the  soldiers.  "  Fall 
in,  Company  A  !"  rings  down  the  street ;  and  with  vari 
ations  in  the  last  letter,  is  repeated  over  the  camp.  Oat 
tumble  the  sleepy  boys  and  range  themselves  in  line  in 
front  of  their  tents.  Eoll  call  is  soon  over  and  down 
they  run  to  the  neighboring  brook  where  their  toilet  is 
performed.  Back  to  their  tents  and  tumbling  in  they 
soon  have  a  glowing  fire  burning,  Then  comes  "peas 
on  trencher,"  as  breakfast  is  called-— for  what  reason  I 
know  not,  considering  the  unvarying  bill  of  fare.  But 
the  fascinating  summons  is  always  obeyed,  and  with  tin 
plates  and  cups,  to  the  music  of  the  "  tin  plate  march," 
they  proceed  to  the  cook's  quarters  of  their  own  com 
pany.  The  milkless  coffee  is  dipped  from  a  huge  kettle, 
and  the  salt  junk  from  a  pile  and  with  a  few  wafers  of 
hard  tack,  the  patriots  march  back  to  their  bunks  and 
enjoy  a  hearty  meal.  At  eight  comes  guard  mounting 
— quite  an  imposing  ceremony  in  clear  weather.  Then 
the  boys  cut  their  Wood  and  fill  their  canteens,  clean 
their  muskets,  sew  on  buttons,  write  home,  read,  cut 
wooden  chains  and  bone  rings,  play  cards,  smoke  and 
talk  over  old  times,  and  brag  about  their  sweethearts. 
At  noon  '  roast  beef/'  is  sounded  and  out  turns  the  re 
doubtable  tin  plate  band  who  waddle  through  the  mud 
to  the  kitchen,  where  it  is  only  by  their  redoubled  ener- 


78  OUR   CAMPAIGNS. 

gies  with  the  more  uproarious  rattling  of  merry  voices, 
that  the  words  of  discontent  and  grumbling  are  drowned. 
The  "roast  beef"  generally  turns  out  to  be  an  article 
known  to  the  soldiers  as  "salt  horse,"  which  sometimes 
gives  way  to  its  fresh  kindred,  or  bean  soup,  but  is 
usually  only  varied  with  salt  pork.  The  afternoon 
glides  away  like  the  morning,  and  then  comes  the  un 
changeable  "  hard  tack  and  coffee."  At  nine,  tattoo 
beats,  and  the  regimental  bands  commencing  on  the 
right  of  each  brigade  begin  playing  and  by  the  time 
they  have  ceased  the  half  hour  has  expired  for  taps  to 
sound,  when  all  lights  are  extinguished  and  sounds  cease. 
This  is  the  routine  of  camp  in  bad  weather,  but  when 
the  ground  will  permit,  drilling  and  bayonet  exercise 
take  place  in  the  morning  and  afternoon,  besides  the 
"  dress  parade  "  of  the  evening. 

About  this  time  target  practice  became  quite  popular 
and  the  crack  of  muskets  was  heard  daily  in  the  rear 
of  the  camp.  Company  C,  Captain  Byrnes,  was  presented 
with  four  handsome  silver  medals  by  the  members  of 
Hibernia  Engine  Company  of  Philadelphia,  which  were 
fired  for  on  the  banks  of  the  Potomac.  The  -target  was 
well  riddled,  and  the  prizes  won  by  Corporal  Thomas 
"Wood,  William  Miller,  Edward  Concannon  and  William 
Derr.  About  the  same  time  Company  H  fired  for  three 
magnificent  silver  medals,  and  the  prizes  were  won  by 
Captain  Mealey,  Corporal  Edward  Dubois  and  Samuel 
Hershaw.  A  leather  medal,  richly  decorated  with  pegs 

was  presented  to  Andy -,  he  making  the  worst 

shot.  In  the  regular  army  they  have  company  and  regi 
mental  prizes  which  are  fired  for  yearly,  and  army  prizes 
that  become  the  private  property  of  the  winner. 

Although  our  regiment  numbered  but  seven  companies 
we  were  required  to  furnish  the  guard  and  picket  details 
of  a  full  regiment,  which,  though  it  came  rather  hard, 
was  cheerfully  submitted  to.  The  two  companies  de 
tailed  for  picket  were  up  bright  and  early,  and  with  a  day's 
cooked  rations,  marched  up  the  pike  above  the  general's 


"OLD    UNCLE   BEN.  79 

quarters,  where  they  were  inspected  by  one  of  his  aids, 
who  verified  the  detail.  They  then  proceeded  to  Pros 
pect  Hill,  where  they  were  divided  into  three  reliefs,  and 
relieved  the  old  picket. ,  Shelters  of  boughs  were  here 
built  for  the  Eeserve  to  lie  in,  and  a  considerable  portion 
of  the  day  was  spent  in  cutting  wood  for  the  night.  Our 
regiment  generally  picketed  from  the  pike  to  the  Potomac, 
but  when  it  laid  to  the  left  of  the  road  they  made  the 
Ball  House  their  headquarters.  Mr.  Ball  was  a  violent 
secessionist,  and  like  most  of  his  clan  had  abandoned 
his  home  and  with  his  family  gone  south  upon  the  ap 
proach  of  our  army.  The  consequence  was,  everything 
soon  went  to  ruin.  The  trees  were  cut  down,  fences 
turned  up,  and  one  board  after  another  disappeared 
from  the  house,  until  the  chimney  alone  marked  where 
it  once  stood.  This  was  the  case  all  the  way  down  to 
the  Chain  Bridge  and  to  Alexandria,  the  only  exceptions 
being  of  those  who  had  sense  enough  to  remain  at  home, 
and  those  who  had  returned  from  the  exile  into  which 
they  had  been  driven  by  their  secession  neighbours. 
When  the  rebellion  first  broke  out,  the  secessionists, 
although  in  the  minority,  with  the  aid  of  Confederate 
troops  drove  the  JTnion  citizens  from  their  houses,  im 
pressing  the  young  men,  and  plundering  and  robbing  the 
old  and  helpless. 

An  old  slave  and  his  wife  were  all  that  remained  on 
the  farm,  and  their  cabin  and  little  garden  were  undis 
turbed.  They  obtained  their  daily  food  from  the  haver 
sacks  of  the  soldiers,  for  which  they  appeared  grateful. 
They  had  great  faith  in  the  efficacy  of  prayer,  and  when 
"  old  Uncle  Ben"  discoursed  upon  the  war,  he  was  wont 
to  observe,  "  Massa  Linkum  has  a  power  of  men,  and 
them  am  mighty  fond  of  chickens.  I  spects  Massa 
Government  must  be  powerfully  rich  to  own  all  dem 
wagons  and  horses."  Uncle  Ben  truly  loved  the  afore 
said  gentleman,  and  frequently  inquired  if  they  "had 
eber  experienced  religion." 

Picketing  in  pleasant  weather  was  much  preferable  to 


80  OUE   CAMPAIGNS. 

the  camp,  but  on  the  bleak  hills  of  the  Potomac,  during 
the  bitter  cold  nights,  the  wind  came  rushing  down  the 
valley,  penetrating  to  the  very  bones.  Sometimes  the 
weather  was  so  intensely  cold,  that  the  men  were  relieved 
every  hour.  Then  it  was  their  pace  was  quickened  on 
the  beat,  and  in  their  frail  shelters  they  huddled  up 
together  to  get  warm,  the  motto  being,  "  united  we  sleep, 
divided  we  freeze." 

Some  of  the  men.  with  bad  memories,  had  considerable 
trouble  in  remembering  the  countersign.  One  night, 

when  Pat  D was  posted,  the  corporal  gave  him  the 

word  "Malta."  "Now  remember,  Pat,  by  thinking 
of  malt  from  which  liquor  is  made,  you  can  remember 
it."  "Yes,  sir,"  replied  Pat.  Sometime  afterwards, 
when  an  officer  visited  the  posts,  he  interrogated  Pat. 
Pat  looked  confused  for  a  few  moments  when  his  face 
brightened  up  as  he  replied,  "and  is  it  rye,  sir?"  At 
another  time  when  the  word  was  "  Brandy  wine,"  one  of 
the  men  replied,  "  wine  and  whiskey,"  and  at  another 
time  the  word  "  Toledo"  was  tortured  into  "toad  eater." 

Beyond  the  picket  line  was  the  cavalry  patrol,  who 
moved  to  and  fro  on  the  pike,  as  far  as  Difficult  creek. 
Sometimes  on  cold  nights  the  patrols  would  induce  some 
one  of  the  infantry  who  was  off  duty  to  ride  a  round  for 
him,  while  he  warmed  himself.  This,  however,  he  had 
better  not  have  been  caught  at. 

Of  course,  the  men  wished  to  visit  their  homes  during 
the  winter,  and  as  furloughs  could  riot  be  granted  to  all, 
many  were  doomed  to  disappointment.  Considerable 
numbers,  however,  took  a  run  home  for  a  week  or  ten 
days  without  any  authority,  which  was  called  "  taking 
French."  To  accomplish  this,  they  concealed  themselves 
in  the  army  wagons  and  were  smuggled  across  the  Chain 
Bridge  to  Washington,  where  they  procured  citizens 
clothes  and  went  north.  Many  of  them,  however,  were 
detected  by  the  depot  guard  in  spite  of  their  disguise,  for 
soldiers  have  a  peculiar  look  and  style  about  them  that 
is  easily  detected  by  a  practiced  eye.  And  woe  unto 


THE   MOTHER   OF   JACKSON.  81 

them  that  were  caught,  for  the  guard -house  was  their 
certain  resting  place  until  they  were  sent  to  their  regi 
ments  under  arrest.  None  of  the  Second  boys,  however, 
were  put  to  this  indignity,  but  whether  it  was  on  account 
of  their  virtue  or  excessive  cuteness,  the  reader  must 
judge  for  himself.  When  the  Potomac  froze  over  this  evil 
became  prevalent  in  spite  of  the  sure  punishment  that 
awaited  their  return  to  camp,  for  the  men  were  willing 
to  stand  it  for  the  pleasures  of  home.  However,  there  is 
a  mode  to  remedy  all  evils,  so  pickets  were  stationed  on 
the  river  with  orders  to  shoot  down  any  one  who  at 
tempted  to  cross.  But  home,  no  matter  how  humble  is 
the  palace  of  the  heart,  and  some  of  the  boys  took  the 
risk  and  got  safely  over,  and  surely  it  was  right  to  deal* 
leniently  with  them  when  they  returned. 

A  short  distance  beyond  Difficult  creek  was  the  resi 
dence  of  Mrs.  Jackson,  the  mother  of  Jim  Jackson  who 
killed  the  lamented  Ellsworth.  As  it  was  ascertained  that 
her  house  was  a  general  rendezvous  for  scouts  and  spies, 
whom  she  harbored  and  concealed,  a  squad  of  cavalry 
visited  it  early  one  morning  with  an  ambulance  and 
escorted  her  to  General  McCall's  headquarters.  Quite  a 
number  of  concealed  weapons  and  some  important 
sketches  of  our  picket  line,  that  had  been  corrected  to 
correspond  with  the  changes  lately  made  in  it,  were  cap 
tured,  so  the  old  lady  was  sent  to  Washington. 

On  the  14th  of  February,  First-Lieutenant  Peter  Sum 
mers,  Company  II.  resigned,  and  Orderly  Sergeant  Hugh 
P.  Kennedy  was  elected  to  fill  the  vacancy.  About  the 
same  time  Assistant-surgeon  J.  W.  Lodge  resigned,  and 
Doctor  John  Malone  was  appointed  by  Governor  Curtin 
his  successor. 

Five  volunteers  from  each  regiment  of  the  Keserve 
were  called  for  about  this  time  for  the  Western  flotilla, 
and  the  seventy-five  men  thus  obtained  from  the  division 
formed  the  crew  of  the  celebrated  gunboat  Carondolet 
that  ran  such  a  glorious  career  on  the  Mississippi. 

A  very  amusing  sell  was  started  about  this  time  by 

6 


82  OUR   CAMPAIGN'S. 

some  wags,  who  circulated  in  all  the  regiments,  at  the 
same  time,  a  rumor  to  the  effect  that  any  volunteer  who 
would  enter  the  regular  army  would  receive  one  hun 
dred  dollars  in  cash,  and  sixty  days  furlough  'by  apply 
ing  at  headquarters  the  next  morning  at  ten  o'clock. 
The  consequence  was  that  headquarters  was  literally 
besieged  by  the  gulled  ones,  and  those  who  came  out  of 
curiosity.  The  General,  observing  the  crowd,  sent  one 
of  his  staff,  "Old  Snapping-Turtle/'  out  to  inquire  the 
cause  of  it,  who  stormed  like  an  old  war-horse  at  the 
men  for  being  such  fools. 

On  the  3d  of  March  the  Reserves  were  ordered  out 
with  "  kits  complete,"  and  marched  to  the  Chain  Bridge 
and  back,  a  distance  of  eight  miles.  On  the  5th  this  was 
repeated,  the  object  being  to  prepare  the  men  for  the 
fatigues  of  the  campaign. 


CHAPTER  X. 

OPENING  OF  THE  CAMPAIGN  OF  1862.  FAREWELL  TO  PIERPONT. 
THE  M.YRCH.  HAWKHURST'S  MILLS.  ARMY  CORPS.  WET  AND 
KOISY  Nroirr.  "  HOLLO  BARNEY."  ALEXANDRIA.  EMBARKA 
TION  FOR  THE  PENINSULA.  BY  RAILROAD.  A  NIGHT  IN  REBEL 
CABINS.  RUINS  OF  MANASSAS.  BULL  RUN  FIELD.  SELLING 
CIDER.  MARCH  TO  THE  RAPPAHANNOCK.  CAVALRY  SKIRMISH. 
WASHINTON  vs.  DAVID  OF  OLD. 

FOR  the  proper  elucidation  of  the  subject  it  will  be 
necessary  here  to  refer  to  the  planning  of  the  campaign 
that  was  about  opening.  Two  bases  of  operations  for 
the  Army  of  the  Potomac  presented  themselves;  one 
submitted  by  the  President,  January  31st,  from  Washing 
ton,  involving  an  attack  upon  Centreville  and  Manassas 
direct,  or  the  turning  of  one  or  both  flanks  of  those  po 
sitions,  or  a  combination  of  those  plan?.  An  attack  on  the 
left  flank  involved  too  long  a  line  of  wagon  communica 
tion,  and  on  the  right  flank  by  way  of  Occoquan  if  success- 


PLANS   FOR   THE    CAMPAIGN.  83 

ful  by  a  decisive  battle,  could  not  have  been  followed  up 
with  commensurate  results.  Should  the  condition  of  the 
enemy's  troops  permit,  he  could  fall  back  upon  other 
positions,  and  fight  us  again  and  again,  or  if  he  was  not 
in  a  condition  to  give  battle  outside  of  the  intrenchments 
at  Eichmond,  it  would  have  proved  difficult  and  hazard 
ous  to  have  followed  him  there  either  by  way  of  Frede- 
ricksburg  or  Gordons ville,  as  he  would  have  destroyed 
the  railroad  bridges  and  otherwise  impeded  our  progress. 
Besides  a  line  of  communication  from  Washington  to 
Eichmond,  through  an  enemy's  country,  was  impracti 
cable.  A  direct  attack  upon  Centreville  would  have 
been  productive  of  no  other  results,  and  a  combined 
attack  upon  that  point  and  the  right  flank  was  impracti 
cable  on  account  of  the  distance  and  obstacles  intervening 
between  the  columns. 

The  plan  Submitted  by  General  McClellan,  February 
8d,  was  to  operate  from  the  lower  Chesapeake,  making 
Urbana,  on  the  lower  Eappahannock,  the  point  of  land 
ing,  which  is  distant  from  West  Point  one  march,  and 
from  Eichmond  but  two.  This  would  have  necessitated 
the  abandonment  of  Manassas,  Centreville  and  the  Upper 
Potomac  by  the  enemy,  and  if  followed  with  celerity  of 
movements  the  probable  cutting  off  of  Magruder  in  the 
Peninsula,  and  the  occupation  of  Eichmond  before  the 
enemy's  forces  could  have  been  concentrated  for  its  de 
fence.  .The  latter  proposition  was  adopted,  and  as  early  as 
February  14th  the  collection  of  vessels  for  the  transporta 
tion  of  the  army  to  the  lower  Potomac  was  commenced. 

On  the  9th  of  March  information  was  received  that 
the  enemy  having  discovered  the  intended  movement, 
was  evacuating  Centreville  and  Manassas,  as  well  as  h?s 
positions  on  the  upper  and  lower  Potomac.  Upon  his 
retiring,  he  having  destroyed  all  the  railroad  bridges  in  his 
rear,  and  the  roads  being  almost  impassable,  it  was  impos 
sible  to  inflict  the  usual  damage  generally-afforded  by  the 
withdrawal  of  a  large  army  in  the  face  of  a  powerful  foe. 
But  as  considerable  timo  must  elai3se  before  trarisporta- 


84  OUR  CAMPAIGNS. 

tion  could  be  collected  to  convey  the  army  to  the  lower 
Potomac,  an  opportunity  was  offered  to  experience  the 
troops  on  the  march  and  bivouac  previous  to  the  cam 
paign,  and  to  get  rid  of  the  superfluous  baggage  which 
had  accumulated  in  the  camp  during  our  long  period  of 
inactivity. 

Accordingly  on  the  night  of  the  9th,  orders  were  is 
sued  for  a  general  movement  of  the  army  the  next  morn 
ing,  our  regiment  being  ordered  to  have  four  days' 
cooked  rations  in  haversacks,  sixty  rounds  of  cartridges, 
and  kit  complete. 

At  eleven  o'clock  on  the  10th  of  March,  1862,  we  got 
into  line,  and  bidding  farewell  to  our  happy  home  at 
Pierpont,  crossed  over  the  fields  to  the  pike,  and  took  up 
our  line  of  march.  A  heavy  rain  had  fallen  through  the 
night  and  during  the  morning,  rendering  the  roads  very 
muddy,  and  our  backs  being  green,  the  knapsacks  bore 
heavily  upon  us.  But  all  were  in  excellent  spirits,  be 
lieving  we  would  soon  meet  the  foe,  and  sooner  than  fall 
out  to  rest,  the  men  threw  away  their  extra  clothing, 
strewing  the  road  along  the  march  with  coats,  blouses, 
blankets,  etc.  We  continued  up  the  pike  across  Difficult 
Creek  to  Spring  Yale,  within  three  miles  of  Drainesville, 
when  turning  to  the  left  and  following  a  bridle  path 
through  the  woods  and  over  the  hills,  we  reached  about 
dark  the  neighborhood  of  Hunter's  Mills,  near  which,  on 
the  Loudon  and  Hampshire  railroad  we  bivouacked,  the 
night  being  cold  and  rainy.  Here  we  remained  until  the 
next  afternoon,  when  we  marched  about  two  miles  to  a 
high  elevation  near  the  ruins  of  Hawk-hurst's  Mills, 
where  we  encamped. 

Our  encampment  was  about  seventeen  miles  from 
Pierpont,  two  from  Fairfax  Court  House,  and  eight  from 
the  Bull  Run  battle-field.  The  scene  here  was  magnifi 
cent,  particularly  at  night,  when  the  valleys  and  hills 
beneath  us  for  miles  around,  were  lit  up  with  thousands 
of  camp-fires.  Here  we  received  our  "shelter  tents," 
which  experience  taught  us  were  the  best  in  use  for  an 


ORGANIZATION   OF  THE   CORPS.  85 

army  in  the  field.  But  at  first  they  were  very  unpopular, 
the  men  calling  them  "  dog  houses/'  and-  for  amusement 
creeping  into  them  on  their  hands  and  knees,  and  bark 
ing  out  of  the  ends  at  each  other. 

It  should  have  been  stated,  that  on  the  8th  of  March, 
the  President  directed  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  to  be 
divided  into  four  corps,  in  compliance  with  which,  there 
was  assigned  to  General  Irwin  McDowell  the  first,  con 
sisting  of  the  divisions  of  Franklin,  McCall  and  King. 
To  General  E.  Y.  Sumner  the  second,  consisting  of  Eich- 
ardson,  Blenker  and  Sedgwick.  To  General  S.  P.  Heint- 
zleman  the  third,  consisting  of  F.  J.  Porter,  Hooker  and 
Hamilton ;  and  to  General  E.  D.  Keyes  the  fourth,  con 
sisting  of  Couch,  Smith  and  Casey.  On  the  llth,  an 
order  from  the  President  announced,  that  as  General. 
McClellan  had  personally  taken  the  field,  he  was  relieved 
from  the  command  of  the  other  military  departments, 
and  would  retain  command  of  the  Department  of  the 
Potomac. 

It  being  ascertained  that  the  enemy  were  in  no  force 
north  of  Warreritori  Junction,  on  the  evening  of  the  14th, 
during  a  light  fall  of  rain,  we  took  up  our  march  through 
the  woods,  passing  on  every  side  bivouacks,  and  burning- 
bough  huts  and  arbors,  the  glare  from  which  lighted  us 
upon  our  road  for  miles.  Reaching  the  Alexandria  and 
Leesburg  Pike,  we  turned  to  the  right,  and  passing  along 
it  for  two  miles,  about  eleven  o'clock  filed  into  a  dense 
open  woods,  where,  in  spite  of  the  falling  rain,  our  fires 
soon  burnt  brightly,  and  we  slept  soundly.  The  next 
morning  early,  during  a  heavy  rain,  we  took  up  our 
march,  moving  across  the  country  to  the  Drainesville 
Pike,  and  turning  down  it  crossed  Difficult  Creek,  pass 
ing  within  four  miles  of  our  old  home  at  Pierpont,  and 
entering  a  woods,  moved  back  again  towards  the  Alex 
andria  and  Leesburg  Piko  by  a  private  road.  The  rain 
by  this  time  was  falling  in  torrents,  flooding  the  swampy 
ground,  making  the  marching  most  tiresome  and  fatigu> 
ing.  Soon  the  ranks  were  broken,  the  men  scattering, 


86  OUR   CAMPAIGNS. 

plunging  through  the  mud,  and  toiling  under  their  knap 
sacks,  made  doubly  heavy  by  their  blankets  and  over 
coats  becoming  saturated  with  water.  Soon  they  com 
menced  dropping  out,  and  laid  scattered  through  the 
woods  for  miles.  Upon  striking  the  turnpike  again,  a 
long  halt  was  called  for  the  stragglers  to  catch  up,  and 
then  moving  on,  we  soon  filed  into  a  wood  and  stacked 
arms.  This  was  about  three  o'clock,  and  although  we 
had  marched  fifteen  miles,  we  were  but  three  miles  from 
the  starting  point  in  the  morning,  the  detour  to  the 
left  being  made  on  account  of  the  enemy  having  burned 
the  bridge  on  the  pike  over  Difficult  Creek  some  months 
previous. 

After  much  patient  labor,  we  succeeded  in  getting  our 
fires  started,  and  towards  night  hot  coffee  was  served 
out,  but  such  was  the  violence  of  the  storm,  that  it  was 
impossible  to  put  up  our  tents,  the  most  of  the  men 
spending  the  night  in  cutting  wood  and  standing  around 
the  fires.  At  one  time  the  heavens  appeared  to  out  do 
themselves,  opening  their  flood-gates  and  pouring  down 
a  torrent  of  water,  stifling  the  wind  and  flooding  all 
bolow.  The  fires  were  almost  instantly  extinguished, 
and  then  the  patriots  were  aroused  to  a  full  appreciation 
of  their  position.  Not  to  be  thus  conquered  and  sub 
dued  by  the  raging  elements,  they  set  up  their  wild 
shouts  and  huzzahs,  making  the  woods  and  hills  for 
miles  around  echo  with  their  noise,  until  by  indomitable 
perseverance,  they  actually  got  themselves  into  a  good 
humor.  All  that  was  wanted  after  they  got  fully  started 
to  complete  their  happiness,  was  a  fiddle  and  a  *' straight 
four,"  and  then  they  would  have  made  a  full  night  of  it. 
But  morning  came,  and  with  it  a  bright  warm  sun,  Nature 
appearing  to  have  exhausted  herself  in  the  mad  rage  of 
the  night. 

At  ten  o'clock  the  next  morning,  we  moved  down  the 
pike,  passing  Falls  Church,  Munson's  Hill,  and  a  long 
line  of  fortifications  erected  at  different  times  by  the 
Union  and  Confederate  troops,  and  arriving  within  a  mile 


"HALLO    BABXEY."  87 

of  Alexandria,  moved  over  the  fields  to  the  left,  and  en 
camped  near  the  Cemetery  and  the  Fairfax  Seminary. 
On  account  of  the  roads,  and  the  sleepless  night,  the 
march  was  rather  an  inanimate  one,  but  little  spirit  of 
joviality  being  displayed  until  we  met  a  supply  train 
moving  in  an  opposite  direction  among  whose  drivers 
was  a  red  panted  Zouave,  the  first  we  had  seen.  One  of 
the  boys  found  out  his  name,  and  as  he  passed  cried  out 
"  hallo  Barney" — Barney  turned  round  to  see  who  his 
friend  was,  when  the  whole  regiment  saluted  him.  At 
first  he  was  disposed  to  take  it  ill-naturedly,  and  gave 
full  vent  to  violent  gesticulations  and  oaths,  but  finding 
he  was  "  in  for  it,"  he  jumped  upon  the  seat  of  the  wagon., 
and  commenced  dancing  and  waving  his  hat.  As  he 
passed  by  our  regiment,  the  next  took  it  up,  and  for  a 
long  way  we  could  hear  the  shouts  of  "  Barney,"  and  see 
his  red  pants  dangling  in  the  air.  Thus  a  happy  point 
taken  will  enliven  for  a  time  a  whole  army. 

The  war  metamorphosed  Alexandria  from  a  quiet  Old 
Virginia  town  into  a  bustling  business  place.  Almost 
every  house  was  turned  into  a  store,  restaurant  or  board 
ing  house,  all  of  which  did  a  thriving  business  from 
the  continual  influx  of  officers,  soldiers,  government 
attaches  and  innumerable  teamsters  and  workmen. 
Though  the  sale  of  liquor  was  prohibited  under  severe 
penalty,  and  the  provost  guard  continually  visited  places 
suspected  of  the  illicit  traffic,  yet  large  quantities  of  it 
were  daily  sold.  One  individual  had  a  barrel  up  his 
chimney,  another  one  upon  the  top  of  his  house,  from 
which  he  drew  it  out  of  a  gas  jet  in  a  back  room,  and  a 
third  drew  it  from  a  private  house  next  door  by  means 
of  his  hydrant.  The  city  possessed  not  a  single  attrac 
tion  for  a  private  residence.  As  the  whole  army  was 
now  concentrated  in  the  neighborhood,  the  streets  were? 
crowded  with  soldiers,  many  of  whom  went  to  excesses, 
though  not  annoying  the  citizens  or  particularly  harming 
themselves,  but  as  the  Eeserves  had  not  been  paid  off  for 


88  OUR   CAMPAIGNS. 

some  time,  and  were  out  of  money,  they  won  golden 
opinions  for  their  good  conduct. 

The  enemy's  retreat  from  Manassas  to  Gordonsville 
somewhat  modified  the  plans  of  the  campaign,  and  at  a 
council  of  corps  commanders  held  at  Fairfax  Court 
House  on  the  13th,  the  Peninsula  campaign  was  decided 
upon,  provided  the  enemy's  steamer  Merrimac  could  be 
neutralized,  the  army  be  immediately  transported  to  the 
Lower  Potomac,  the  navy  co-operate  in  silencing  the 
batteries  on  the  York  river,  and  Washington  be  made 
safe.  If  not,  to  Eichmond  via  Manassas  and  the  Eappa- 
hannock.  The  embarkation  of  the  army  was  imme 
diately  commenced  at  Alexandria,  Washington  and 
Perry ville,  and  in  thirty-seven  days  after  the  order  was 
received  by  the  Hon.  John  Tucker,  Assistant-secretary 
of  War,  one  hundred  and  twenty-one  thousand,  five 
hundred  men,  fourteen  thousand  five  hundred  and  ninety- 
two  animals,  one  thousand  one  hundred  and  fifty  wagons, 
forty-four  batteries,  seventy-four  ambulances,  besides 
pontoon  bridges,  telegraph  materials,  and  the  enormous 
quantity  of  equipage,  etc.,  required  for  an  army  of  such 
magnitude,  were  transferred  to  Fortress  Monroe  with  the 
loss  of  but  eight  mules  and  nine  barges,  an  operation  of 
such  magnitude  as  was  without  a  parallel  in  this  country. 

The  weather  during  our  encampment  here  was  cold, 
rainy  and  unpleasant,  rendering  the  ground  mostly  unfit 
for  drilling,  but  every  favorable  opportunity  was  taken 
advantage  of  for  that  purpose.  We  received  our  full 
ration  and  a  ration  of  whisky  was  served  out  every 
rainy  night.  As  the  troops  who  had  laid  here  all  winter 
had  cut  down  and  used  the  wood  in  the  neighborhood,  it 
was  scarce,  and  the  boys  hearing  some  regiments  of  New 
York  troops  had  embarked  for  the  Peninsula,  went  over 
and  rummaged  their  encampments,  and  procured  a  rich 
supply  of  boards,  etc.  Some  commissary  stores  wero  loft 
behind  under  guard,  to  which  they  proceeded  to  help 
themselves,  under  the  patriotic  impression  that  as  they 
belonged  to  Uncle  Sam,  it  was  their  duty  to  improve  his 


START  FOR  TIIE   RAPPAHAXXOCK.  89 

property  by  keeping  themselves  in  good  fighting 
order. 

On  the  2d  of  April,  Captain  George  A.  Woodward  was 
elected  Major,  First  Lieutenant  Horace  Neide,  Captain, 
and  Orderly  Sergeant  Daniel  H.  Connors,  First  Lieu 
tenant.  After  the  election  the  Major  regaled  the  men  on 
ale,  and  his  opponent  on  whisky,  which  made  what  is 
termed  a  "  stone  wall,"  some  portion  of  which  toppled 
over  during  the  night. 

About  this  time  a  company  of  Pennsylvanians,  under 
the  command  of  Lieutenant  John^  M.  Clark,  who  had 
been  attached  to  the  First  District  of  Columbia  Volun 
teers,  were  nominally  transferred  to  our  regiment,  taking 
letter  F,  but  were  assigned  by  General  McCall  to  take 
charge  of  the  extra  line  of  caissons  for  the  artillery 
battalion  of  the  Keserves. 

Our  Corps  de  Armee,  being  detached  from  the  Army 
of  the  Potomac,  constituted  an  independent  command — 
the  Department  of  the  Eappahannock — under  General 
McDowell,  designed  to  coyer  Washington.  We  prepared 
to  move  south,  first  having  the  cartridges  increased  to 
one  hundred  per  man. 

Early  on  the  morning  of  the  9th,  we  struck  tents,  and 
strapping  them  on  our  knapsacks,  with  three^  days' 
cooked  rations  in  haversacks,  moved  off.  A  severe  storm 
of  alternate  rain,  hail  and  snow,  which  had  been  falling 
for  several  days,  was  prevailing,  rendering  the  roads  and 
fields  we  passed  over  in  many  places  knee-deep  in  inud. 
Passing  down  between  Forts  .Ellsworth  and  Lyons,  we 
inarched  about  three  miles  to  the  Orange  and  Alexandria 
railroad  where  we  halted  to  await  transportation.  Hero 
we  stood  six  hours  shivering  in  the  mud,  with  .our  heavy 
knapsacks  upon  our  backs,  but  about  three  o'clock  the 
cars  arrived  and  our  brigade  embarked  and  we  got  under 
way.  Our  journey  was  without  any  incident  of  interest, 
and  at  nine  o'clock  in  the  evening  the  train  halted  about 
two  miles  beyond  Bull  Eun  creek,  in  front  of  a  large 
deserted  encampment  of  huts,  that  .had  been  built  and 


90  OUR   CAMPAIGNS. 

occupied  by  the  enemy  during  the  winter.  We  had  an 
ticipated  a  hard  night  of  it,  in  the  open  fields  without 
fires,  so  these  proved  a  perfect  god-send  to  us,  as  the 
snow  was  deep  and  the  storm  was  raging  with  fury,  and 
many  of  the  men  had  been  exposed  through  the  day  on 
platform  cars,  so  closely  huddled  together  that  they  could 
hardly  move.  We  were  in  the  cabins  but  a  few  mo 
ments  before  bright  crackling  fires  were  burning  in  the 
ample  chimney-places  and  we  were  partaking  of  a  boun 
tiful  supper  of  hot  coffee,  crackers  and  junk.  As  we  sat 
around  the  cheerful  fires  enjoying  our  pipes,  we  soon 
forgot  the  exposure  of  the  day  and  the  storm  that  was 
raging  without,  and  then  stretching  ourselves  upon  the 
clay  floor  we  enjoyed  a  good  night's  sleep. 

The  next  morning  at  eight  o'clock  we  formed  and 
marched  up  the  railroad  about  three  miles,  the  surround 
ing  '  country  presenting  a  scene  of  desolation,  being 
stripped  of  fences  and  wood.  On  either  side  were 
deserted  huts,  camps,  broken  wagons,  caissons,  barrels 
and  boxes. 

At  Manassas  Junction  were  the  vast  ruins  of  the 
depot  and  other  buildings  burnt  by  the  enemy  in  the 
haste  of  retreat,  they  being  unable  to  remove  the  im 
mense  amount  of  provisions  and  clothing  collected  there. 
Smouldering  ruins,  wrecked  cars  and  machinery,  vast 
piles  of  flour,  pork,  beef,  wagons,  lumber,  trunks,  bottles, 
demijohns,  tents,  hides,  tallow,  bones,  dismantled  fortifi 
cations  and  rifle  pits  all  mixed  up  together  in  inextri 
cable  confusion.  Moving,  on,  we  entered  a  large  open 
plain,  surrounded  by  woods ;  and  passing  through  a  col 
lection  of  deserted  huts,  we  encamped  in  a  pine  forest 
on  its  border,  in  an  old  encampment  of  our  skedaddling 
friends.  The  only  thing  of  life  left  to  welcome  us  was  a 
pet  turkey  buzzard  whose  wings  they  had  clipped  to 
prevent  its  escape.  What  a  fit  emblem  it  would  make 
for  their  bogus  Government ! 

Near  by,  in  a  fine  oak  forest,  were  the  ruins  of  the 
enemy's  hospitals,  which  they  burnt  before  leaving. 


BULL   BUN   BATTLE   FIELD.  91 

They  were  of  boards,  0113  story  high  and  consisted  of 
five  rows,  of  ten  buildings,  each  twenty-four  by  one 
hundred  and  twenty-eight  feet,  besides  several  detached 
houses  and  stables,  all  connected  by  broken  sandstone 
walks,  to  protect  the  patient's  feet  from  the  damp  earth. 
Near  them  was  a  large  grave  yard,  and  many  clusters  of 
graves  were  found  in  the  neighborhood. 

While  here  many  of  us  visited  the  Bull  Eun  battle 
field,  situated  about  seven  miles  distant,  finding  but  few 
occupied  houses  on  the  road,  most  of  the  inhabitants 
having  left,  they  believing  the  stories  so  freely  promul 
gated  in  the  Southern  papers  of  our  monstrosities. 
Where  they  remained  at  home  a  guard  was  furnished 
for  their  houses  and  their  property  protected.  Near  the 
battle-field  were  a  number  of  huts  lately  occupied  by 
the  enemy,  and  over  the  door  of  one  was  found  nailed 
the  cross  bones  and  skull  of  a  human  being.  Leg  bones 
were  also  found  with  the  marrow  but  partially  dried  up 
in  them,  from  which  finger  rings  had  been  sawed  off. 
What  singular  and  refined  tastes  the,  chivalry  of  the 
South  have !  It  was  noticed  that  while  there  were  quite 
a  number  of  bibles  and  tracts  left  in  their  cabins,  there 
were  no  cards  to  be  found,  but  whether  this  was  to  be 
accounted  for  by  the  fact  of  their  being  conscientiously 
opposed  to  gaming,  or  considered  the  cards  the  most 
valuable  of  the  two,  we  cannot  say.  The  field,  of  course, 
possessed  much  interest  to  all,  and  the  important  posi 
tions  were  carefully  examined.  The  bones  of  men  and 
horses  lay  scattered  about  unburied  although  the  enemy 
laid  in  the  immediate  neighborhood  for  eight  months. 
Near  the  water  courses  were  found  the  skeletons  of 
many  of  the  wounded  who  had  crawled  to  them  to 
quench  their  thirst. 

On  the  12th  the  regiment  was  paid  off  by  Major  John 
M.  Porneroy,  and  soon  after  our  sutler,  Captain  Knox, 
resigned  and  left  us.  Mr.  Stokes  was  appointed  in  his 
place,  but  being  unable  to  give  satisfaction,  soon  after 
left.  About  this  time  Sergeant- Major  Augustus  T.  Cross, 


92  OUR   CAMPAIGNS. 

was  appointed  adjutant  of  the  regiment,  vice  Neide 
promoted. 

Soon  after  our  arrival,  quite  a  number  of  sutler  and 
other  "shebangs,"  were  opened  in  our  neighborhood, 
which  furnished  us  with  an  abundant  supply  of  the 
various  articles  so  necessary  for  the  soldier's  comfort. 
One  individual  was  doing  a  thriving  business,  he  having 
succeeded  in  smuggling  through  a  barrel  of  cider,  which 
delightful  beverage  he  dispensed  to  his  thirsty  patrons 
at  ten  cents  a  glass.  Some  of  the  boys,  however,  con 
ceived  the  idea  of  running  opposition  to  him,  and  having 
succeeded  through  false  pretence  in  borrowing  an  auger 
and  spicket  from  him,  cut  a  hole  in  the  back  of  his  tent, 
tapped  his  barrel,  and  commenced  operations.  As  they 
charged  but  half  price,  and  gave  twice  as  much,  they 
were  liberally  patronized,  and  after  selling  out  in  an  in 
credibly  short  time,  they  decamped,  when  he  was  invited 
around  to  view  the  operation.  He  owned  up  he  had 
been  "  sold"  in  the  auger  and  spicket  arrangement,  but 
thought  the  joke  a  "little  practical." 

While  here  the  Second  and  Third  Brigades  arrived, 
companies  from  our  regiment  were  sent  on  picket,  and 
frequent  battalion  drills  were  had. 

At  eight  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  the  17th,  we  formed 
and  moved  out  on  the  open  plain,  where  we  laid  until 
eleven  o'clock,  when  we  moved  off  to  the  south,  soon 
striking  the  railroad,  down  which  we  marched,  crossing 
Broad  and  Kettle  runs  on  the  new  bridges  that  were 
being  built  to  replace  those  destroyed  by  the  enemy. 
Near  the  latter  is  Bristow  Station,  where  Company  A, 
Captain  Neide,  was  detailed  on  guard  duty.  About  a 
mile  beyond  this  we  filed  into  a  woods,  and  encamped 
for  the  night  near  Brentsville.  The  next  morning  early 
we  again  moved  down  the  railroad.  The  day  was  very 
warm,  and  many  of  the  men  threw  away  "their  overcoats 
to  lighten  their  burdens.  About  noon  we  reached  Cat- 
lett's  Station,  near  Cedar  Creek,  a  tributary  of  the  Occo- 
quan  Kiver,  where  we  encamped.  That  night  Companies 


THE    BIVOUAC.  93 

E  and  H,  Captains  Finnic  and  Mealey,  were  detailed  for 
picket  under  Major  Woodward,  on  the  heights  beyond 
Cedar  creek.  While  we  laid  here,  we  found  for  the  first 
time  honest  people,  they  acknowledging  frankly  they 
were  secessionists  at  heart,  but  regretted  secession  since 
it  was  followed  by  war.  It  was  much  more  satisfactory 
to  talk  to  such  than  with  hypocrites,  who  uttered  senti 
ments  of  loyalty,  while  traitors  at  heart.  Much  rain  fell 
while  we  laid  here,  which  prevented  our  drilling. 

While  here  our  surgeon,  Dr.  Thomas  B.  Keed,  of 
Washington  county,  Pennsylvania,  was  promoted  bri 
gade  surgeon,  and  ordered  to  Yorktown.  His  departure 
from  among  us  was  -regretted,  as  his  eminent  skill  and 
ability,  and  fine  intellectual  qualities,  caused  his  loss  to 
be  deeply  felt. 

On  the  26th,  about  noon  we  marched  off,  crossing 
Cedar  creek  on  falling  trees,  and  passing  over  hills  and 
dales,  through  the  woods  and  fields,  in  a  southeasterly 
direction  and  towards  night  bivouacked  on  the  south  bank 
of  Elk  creek,  having  marched  six  miles.  On  our  route 
we  passed  several  deserted  houses  and  camps,  also  a 
number  of  newly  made  graves.  The  ground  we  laid 
upon  was  a  gentle  sloping  hillside,  admirably  situated 
for  our  comfort,  having  an  abundance  of  water  and  fence 
rails  near  by.  What  a  sight  it  is  to  see  a  division 
bivouac  for  ^  the  night !  The  brigades  and  regiments  as 
they  march  into  the  fields  are  assigned  their  positions, 
and  no  sooner  have  they  stacked  arms,  than  off  goes 
their  knapsacks,  and  the  men  rash  for  the  nearest  fences. 
In  a  few  minutes  they  are  torn  down,  and  thousands  of 
men,  with  several  rails  each  upon  their  shoulders,  are 
seen  hurrying  towards  their  stacks.  Then  another  rush 
is  made  for  water,  and  soon  a  thousand  fires  are  brightly 
burning,  with  the  busy  blue  coats  around  them  cooking 
their  coffee.  Then  the  pipe,  then  the  blanket,  and  soon 
all  are  lost  in  peaceful  sleep,  except  the  guard,  who, 
through  the  lone  hours  of  the  night,  keep  watch  and 
ward  over  their  comrades. 


94  OUR    CAMPAIGNS. 

The  next  morning  was  Sunday,  a  clear  and  beautiful 
day,  and  about  six  in  the  morning,  after  sounding  the 
sick  call,  we  marched  off.  On  our  march  we  passed  two 
churches,  one  a  Methodist  and  the  other  a  Baptist,  but 
in  neither  of  them  had  service  been  held  for  eight  months. 
Near  one  was  collected  a  number  of  slaves,  who  told  us 
they  had  been  for  sometime  discussing  the  subject  of 
moving  North.  They,  however,  were  divided  in  their 
opinion,  the  old  folks  prefering  to -remain  near  their 
childhood's  home,  but  the  younger  longing  for  the  liberty 
they  knew  not  of.  We  passed  through  a  small  village 
called  White  Kidge,  near  which,  about  noon,  we  en 
camped  in  a  pine  woods,  having  made  eight  miles.  Near 
by  was  a  pond  of  clear  water  with  a  spring  in  the  middle 
of  it,  but  without  proper  outlet.  The  men  went  to  it  to 
fill  their  canteens,  but  General  Keynolds  ordered  his 
orderlies  to  ride  in  and  muddy  the  water,  which  caused 
the  men.  to  seek  othei%  and  purer  water.  On  our  route 
we  were  followed  by  many  negroes  and  some  whites, 
whose  object,  principally,  was  to  get  such  clothes  as  the 
men  would  give  them.  At  guard-mounting,  an  amusing- 
scene  took  place.  When  the  band  commenced  playing, 
the  negroes  involuntarily  broke  forth  into  a  dance,  clap 
ping  their  hands  and  singing.  After  this  was  over,  a 
grand  butting  match  took  place,  their  heads  crushing 
together  like  rocks,  but  producing  no  effect  upon  them. 
After  scrambling  for  a  few  handfuls  of  pennies  thrown 
among  them,  they  left  for  their  homes,  happy  with  their 
afternoon's  sport.  Companies  B  and  K,  Captains  McDo- 
nough  and  Smith,  were  thrown  out  on  picket  for  the 
night 

The  next  day  was  clear,  pleasant,  and  cool  for  march 
ing,  and  at  six  in  the  morning  we  moved  off,  following 
the  fields  along  side  of  the  roads.  The  country  became 
more  diversified  and  timber  heavier.  As  we  marched 
on  we  passed  a  large  brick  house,  from  a  tree  in  front  of 
which  was  flying  the  stars  and  stripes,  and  as  the  men 
caught  sight  of  it,  they  rent  the  air  with  deafening 


CAVALRY   FIGHT.  95 

cheers,  -which,  rolling  down  the  line  echoed  through  the 
woods.  At  noon  a  long  halt  was  called,  and  then  pass 
ing  through  Hartword,  a  small  village,  we  bivouacked 
at  three  o'clock  in  a  fine  woods  two  miles  from  Falmouth, 
Stafford  county,  and  although  we  made  seventeen  miles, 
the  brigade  came  in  in  fine  order  with  but  few  stragglers. 

The  next  morning,  the  29th,  we  marched  early  and 
passed  by  where  our  cavalry  had  a  skirmish  with  the 
enemy  on  the  18th,  and  which  was  marked  by  a  breast 
work  of  rails,  newly  made  graves,  and  dead  horses.  The 
enemy's  force  consisted  of  a  regiment  of  infantry,  one  of 
cavalry,  and  a  battery  of  artillery.  They  were  charged 
by  the  First  Eeserve  Cavalry  under  Colonel  Bayard,  and 
after  being  driven  from  their  position  were  pushed  to  the 
Eappahannock,  which  they  crossed  on  the  upper  bridge 
at  Falmouth,  which  they  burnt.  Our  loss  was  five  men 
and  fifteen  horses  killed,  and  sixteen  men  wounded. 
The  enemy's  loss  was  about  equal  to  ours.  Lieutenant- 
colonel  Kilpatrick,  Second  New  York  (Ira  Harris)  Ca. 
valry  was  wounded,  and  Lieutenant  Decker  killed. 
Colonel  Bayard's  horse  was  wounded  in  four  places. 
Soon  after  we  entered  Falmouth,  through  which  we 
passed  with  our  banners  unfurled  and  bands  playing. 
The  inhabitants  flocked  to  the  doors  and  windows  to 
gaze  at  us,  and  a  motley  crowd  of  negroes  followed, 
highly  delighted  at  the  music  and  sight.  About  a  mile 
beyond,  on  the  Aquia  road  we  encamped  in  a  fine  wood, 
where  we  found  an  abundance  of  fuel  and  water.  The 
same  afternoon  the  Second  Brigade,  General  Meade, 
arrived  and  encamped  to  our  left. 

The  ground  where  our  camp  laid  was  once  owned  by 
Washington,  he  having  inherited  it  from  his  father. 
Here  he  spent  his  youth  between  the  age  of  ten  and 
sixteen,  during  which  time  he  obtained  the  principal 
portion  of  his  education.  Near  the  headquarters  of 
General  King,  at  the  "  Phillip's  House,"  stood  the  old 
mansion,  from  the  lawn  in  front  of  which,  it  is  said, 
George  threw  a  stone  into  the  river,  a  feat  which  none 


93  OUE   CAMPAIGNS. 

of  his  companions  were  able  to  accomplish.  "We  are 
not  the  least  surprised  at  this,  as  the  distance  is  about 
one  mile !  If  this  statement  is  true,  the  patriot  in  his 
youthful  days  must  have  been  a  powerful  boy,  and  able 
to  put  in  the  shade  the  feats  of  David  of  old. 


CHAPTEE  XI. 

FALMOUTH.  VISIT  OF  PRESIDENT  LINCOLN.  CROSSING  THE  RAP- 
PAH  ANNOCK.  GRAVE  OF  MARY  WASHINGTON.  LOVE  BUBBLE. 
CEMETERY.  MARCH  TO  GRAY'S  LANDING.  EMBARKATION  FOR 
THE  PENINSULA.  VOYAGE  TO  THE  WHITE  HOUSE.  MARCH  TO 
DISPATCH  STATION. 

THE/town  of  Falmouth  is  situated  on  the  east  bank  of 
the  Eappahannock,  below  the  Falls,  and  nearly  opposite 
Fredericksburg,  with  which  it  was  connected  by  two 
bridges,  one  at  the  upper  and  one  at  the  lower  end  of  the 
town,  the  latter  being  used  by  the  Aquia  Creek  Eailroad, 
but  both  of  which  were  burned  by  the  enemy,  with 
several  steamboats  and  a  number  of  sailing  crafts  upon 
our  approach.  A  church  in  which  several  denomina 
tions  formerly  worshipped,  a  cotton  factory,  and  several 
store  houses  constituted  the  brick  portion  of  the  town, 
and  about  eighty  houses,  mostly  in  a  dilapidated  con 
dition,  constituted  the  frame  portion  of  it.  Deep  water 
galleys  were  worn  in  the  streets,  and  the  whole  place 
presented  the  appearance  of  decay.  What  few  articles 
the  inhabitants  offered  for  sale  commanded  enormous 
prices,  but  soon  the  town  was  filled  with  our  sutlers, 
storekeepers  and  photographers,  who  gave  new  life  to  it. 

On  the  1st  of  May,  private  E.  M.  Woodward,  Com 
pany  H,  was  appointed  sergeant-major  of  the  regiment, 
vice  A.  T.  Cross,  promoted  adjutant.  On  the  3d,  Eastern's, 
Cooper's  and  Kern's  batteries  arrived.  On  the  4th,  the 


FALMOUTH.  97 

Third  Brigade,  General  Ord,  arrived,  and  on  the  llth, 
Company  A,  Captain  Neide'  came  in  with  the  Fifth  Ke- 
serve,  Colonel  Simmons',  from  Bristoe  Station,  where  they 
lost  William  Holmes,  the  first  one  of  the  regiment  that 
died.  On  the  same  afternoon,  the  enemy  drove  in  our 
out-posts  of  the  Second  New  York  Cavalry,  under  Major 
Duffie,  on  the  Bowling  Green  road,  back  of  Fredericks- 
burg,  but  coming  upon  the  reserve,  they  were  hand 
somely  repulsed,  with  the  loss  of  one  lieutenant  and  ten 
men  prisoners,  one  killed  and  several  wounded ;  our  loss 
being  but  one  horse.  The  enemy  in  our  front  were 
under  the  command  of  General  Anderson,  and  numbered 
about  fifteen  thousand  men.  On  the  12th,  there  was 
great  rejoicing  in  camp  upon  the  reception  of  the  news 
of  the  evacuation  of  Yorktown,  and  the  destruction  of 
the  Merrimac  by  the  enemy,  in  honor  of  which  a  salute 
was  fired  of  forty-four  guns.  About  the  same  time, 
William  Goucher,  of  Easton,  Pennsylvania,  was  appointed 
sutler  of  the  regiment,  and  soon  after  arrived  with  a  good 
supply  of  stores.  Lieutenant  Kobinson,  with  his  recruit 
ing  party,  also  arrived  from  Philadelphia  with  a  number 
of  recruits. 

At  Falmouth  a  large  bakery  was  established  by  Cap 
tain  James  B.  Clow,  division  commissary,  which  was 
capable  of  turning  out  twenty-one  thousand  six  hundred 
loaves  of  bread  per  day.  The  Eeserves  picketed  as  far 
as  eight  miles  up  the  river,  and  in  a  circle  around  Fal 
mouth,  about  two  miles  from  camp.  Several  of  the 
Eighth  regiment  were  killed  while  on  duty  at  the  mines. 

Near  the  upper  end  of  the  town,  resided  Mr.  J.  B. 
Fickner,  a  noted  secessionist  and  a  gentleman  of  great 
wealth,  who  owned  large  tracts  of  land  on  both  sides  of 
the  river,  the  upper  bridge  and  a  factory.  While  we 
were  on  cattle  guard  at  his  farm,  he  frequently  visited 
and  conversed  with  us.  He  deeply  lamented  the  war, 
not  on  account  of  the  destruction  of  the  Government,  but 
of  his  property,  but  he  consoled  himself  with  the  belief 
that  the  Government  would  have  to  pay  for  the  damage 

7 


98  OUR   CAMPAIGNS. 

done  by  the  rebels.  To  this  we  fully  agreed,  and  suggested 
to  him  the  propriety  of  applying  for  a  pension  for  his 
son,  who  was  wounded  while  in  the 'Confederate  service. 
The  old  gentleman  looked  somewhat  confused  at  this, 
he  not  being  aware  that  we  were  acquainted  with  his 
own  and  his  son's  antecedents. 

While  we  laid  here  Dr.  Edward  Donnelly,  of  Phila 
delphia,  surgeon  Fifth  Eeserve,  was  transferred  to  our 
regiment,  vice  Dr.  Thomas  B.  Eeed,  promoted  brigade 
surgeon. 

On  the  21st,  at  nine  o'clock  in  the  morning,  we 
formed  and  marched  about  two  miles  to  a  large  open 
field,  where  our  brigade  was  reviewed  and  inspected  by 
General  Van  Rensallaer,  Inspector-General  of  our  Corps. 
At  the  review,  the  bands  of  the  five  regiments  number 
ing  some  eighty  instrument-;  were  joined,  producing  the 
most  soul-inspiring  music.  It  was  three  o'clock  in  the 
afternoon  before  the  inspection  was  got  through  with. 

On.  the  afternoon  of  the  23d,  His  Excellency  the  Presi 
dent  of  the  United  States,  accompanied  by  the  Honor 
able  Secretary  of  War,  and  other  members  of  the  Cabi 
net,  Major-General  McDowell,  staff  and  cavalry  escort, 
reviewed  the  first  corps  about  three  miles  from  camp. 
As  the  President  rode  down  the  line  on  a  fine  spirited 
horse,  the  troops  presented  arms,  the  standards  and 
colors  drooped,  officers  saluted,  drums  beat,  trumpets 
sounded,  and  a  salute  of  twenty-one  guns  fired.  Long 
and  loud  cheers  for  the  honored  chief,  broke  forth  from 
the  men,  as  he  passed  along  the  line. 

As  early  as  the  17th,  General  McDowell  had  been  in 
structed  to  move  upon  Richmond  by  the  general  route 
of  the  Richmond  and  Fredericksburg  railroad,  as  soon 
as  joined  by  General  Shield's  division,  which  came  in 
after  long  and  fatiguing  marches  on  the  22nd,  and  it  was 
decided  upon  at  a  consultation  between  the  President 
and  the  generals  that  the  movement  should  commence 
on  the  morning  of  the  26th.  But  on  account  of  the  ad 
vance  of  the  enemy  under  "Stonewall"  Jackson  down 


FREDERICKSBURG.  99 

the  valley  of  the  Shenandoah,  rendering  the  position  of 
General  Banks'  force  critical,  General  Shield's,  King's 
and  Ord's  divisions  and  four  companies  of  the  "  Buck- 
tails  "  under  Lieutenant-Colonel  Kane  were  on  the  25th 
dispatched  to  his  relief. 

Although  this  unforseen  circumstance  prevented  the 
contemplated  advance  of  McDowell,  on  the  26th,  at 
eleven  o'clock,  A.  M.,  we  broke  camp  and  marched  to 
ward  Falmouth,  halting  at  the  abandoned  camp  of  the 
Twenty-second  New  York,  where  we  put  up  our  tents, 
but  had  hardly  got  through  with  our  work,  when  we 
were  ordered  to  again  move.  Striking  tents,  we  marched 
to  the  river  and  crossed  over  on  a  trestle  bridge,  and 
entered  Fredericksburg.  The  day  was  drizzly  and  the 
streets  muddy,  but  with  our  unfurled  banners  and  mar 
tial  music  we  marched  merrily  through  the  city.  The 
houses  of  the  rich  were  mostly  closed ;  a  few  old  folks 
and  young  children  gazed  out  of  the  windows  at  us,  and 
at  the  corners  the  negroes  were  collected  in  knots  and 
appeared  in  a  very  happy  mood.  Passing  through  the 
city,  we  moved  out  William  street  about  a  half  mile 
beyond  the  cemetery  on  the  heights  back  of  the  city 
where  we  bivouacked  in  some  scrub-oak  brush  to  the 
right  of  the  plank  road,  strict  orders  being  given  to 
avoid  injuring  the-  growing  crops  of  the  neighboring 
fields.  Considerable  rain  fell  during  the  night,  and  the 
next  morning  we  moved  to  the  left  of  the  road,  and  en 
camped  on  a  gently  sloping  hill  commanding  a  fine  view 
of  the  city. 

Fredericksburg  is  an  ancient  city,  situated  on  the 
western  bank  of  the  Eappahannock,  and  is  principally 
noted  for  the  refinement  of  its  inhabitants,  their  aristo 
cratic  characteristics  and  the  beauty  of  its  women.  Prior 
to  the  war  it  contained  about  five  thousand  inhabitants, 
and  its  exports  amounted  to  some  million  of  dollars 
yearly. 

The  first  account  we  have  of  this  locality  is  that  given 


100  OUR   CAMPAIGNS. 

by  Captain  John  Smith  who  ascended  the  river  in  1608, 
and  fought  the  Indians  on  the  present  site  of  the  town. 

It  was  here  that  Mary,  the  mother  of  Washington  re 
sided  for  many  years  prior  to  her  death,  which  occurred 
on  the  25th  of  August,  1789.  Her  grave  is  near  the 
outskirts  of  the  town  upon  the  edge  of  a  pretty  bluff 
near  the  cemetery.  Some  years  ago  an  attempt  was 
made  to  erect  a  suitable  monument  to  the  memory  of 
this  good  and  estimable  lady,  and  the  corner-stone  was 
laid  by  President  Jackson,  but  for  want  of  public  spirit 
the  project  fell  through.  Some  years  afterwards,  a 
merchant  from  New  York  who  was  doing  business  there 
at  the  time,  fell  desperately  in  love  with  one  of  the  Lewis 
branch  of  the  family  and  her  money,  and  to  advance  his 
suit  determined  to  complete  the  monument,  but  before  it 
was  finished  his  firm  collapsed  and  his  bright  visions  of 
love  and  gold  vanished  like  a  soap-bubble.  In  the  cem 
etery  near  by  are  several  pretty  monuments,  and  among 
them  that  of  Hugh  Mercer,  M.  D.,  a  son  of  General  Hugh 
Mercer,  who  fell  so  gloriously  at  Princeton.  The  gen 
eral  prior  to  the  Kevolution  practised  medicine  here. 
There  also,  in  newly-made  graves,  rested  in  quiet  repose 
some  three  hundred  Confederate  soldiers,  victims  of  the 
mad  ambition  of  their  reckless  leaders.  Though  mostly 
strangers  from  the  far  South,  the  hand  of  sympathy  had 
decked  their  graves  with  flowers,  and  already  the  "  Love- 
entangled  "  and  "  Forget-me-not,"  had  taken  root  in  the 
new  earth. 

Soon  after  General  McDowell  arrived,  work  was  com 
menced  on  the  Aquia  creek  and  Fredericksburg  railroad, 
which  was  soon  put  in  running  order.  The  railroad 
bridge  was  also  rebuilt  across  the  river,  a  bridge  of  canal 
boats  completed  below  it,  a  trestle  one  above,  and  a  pon 
toon  thrown  over  opposite  Falmouth.  Stockades  and 
block  houses  were  built  to  protect  the  approaches  to  these, 
and  artillery  commanded  them  on  the  eastern  bluffs. 

On  the  9th  of  May,  Mr.  Hunnicutt  commenced  the  re 
issue  of  his  paper  "The  Christian  Banner"  which  he  was 


FKEDERICKSBUR&.  \      [  \  10  ^ 

forced  to  suspend  exactly  one  year  before  on  account  of 
its  loyal  sentiments.  Until  the  retrograde  movement  of 
the  enemy,  three  secession  sheets  were  issued  here.  The 
advent  of  the  northerners  soon  made  a  marked  difference 
in  the  appearance  of  the  town,  they  opening  stores,  res 
taurants,  bakeries,  etc. ;  in  front  of  which  were  displayed 
numerous  American  flags.  Although  the  streets  were 
thronged  with  soldiers,  we  did  not  hear  of  any  insult 
being  offered  to  any  of-  the  inhabitants. 

On  the  day  of  our  crossing,  General  Eeynolds  was 
appointed  Military  Governor,  and  such  was  the  course  of 
his  administration  as  not  only  to  receive  the  warm  thanks 
of  the  Mayor  and  Council,  but  when  he  was  taken  pris 
oner  at  the  battle  of  Gaines  Mill,  they  sent  a  deputation 
to  Richmond  to  intercede  for  his  release. 

On  the  26th,  Henry  Webb  of  "  F,"  our  detached  bat 
tery  company,  was  drowned. 

On  the  same  day  our  advance  posts  were  eight  miles 
from  the  town  and  on  the  29th  our  cavalry  advanced 
twenty  miles  beyond,  skirmishing  and  driving  the  enemy. 
On  the  30th,  the  regiment  was  paid  off  by  Major  Pom- 
eroy,  and  the  same  night  orders  were  received  to  have 
one  day's  cooked  rations  in  haversacks.  The  next 
morning  at  eight  o'clock  the  men  were  ordered  to  fall  in 
without  knapsacks,  but  at  noon  orders  came  to  pack  up 
all,  and  passing  through  Fredericksburg,  crossed  the 
river  to  the  east  side,  where  our  artillery  was  posted 
upon  the  high  banks,  and  we  moved  about  a  half  mile 
back  to  the  vacated  camp  of  the  Twenty-second  New 
York. 

The  cause  of  this  movement  was :  it  being  ascertained 
the  enemy  under  General  Anderson  had  moved  toward 
Richmond,  destroying  the  bridges  in  his  rear,  and  on 
account  -of  the  weakening  of  our  forces,  by  sending  re- 
enforcements  to  General  Banks,  we  were  unable  to 
follow  him,  it  was  determined  to  place  the  Rappahan- 
nock  between  us  and  them,  so  as  to  spare  reinforcements 
to  McClellan. 


'102  OUR  CAMPAIGNS. 

About  this  time  our  brigade  was  furnished  with  white 
linen  leggings  and  orders  issued  requiring  the  men  to 
have  two  pairs  of  shoes.*  The  officers  here  took  lessons 
in  sword  exercise  from  a  Mr.  O'Rouke,  who  was  the  only 
Irishman  we  ever  met  who  was  base  enough  to  deny  his 
nationality.  On  the  4th  of  June  the  river  became  so 
swollen  from  the  effects  of  continued  rains  that  fears 
were  entertained  for  the  safety  of  the  bridges,  and  as  a 
matter  of  precaution  the  pontoon  was  taken  up,  but  in 
the  afternoon  the  pile  or  trestle  bridge  being  unable  to 
resist  the  pressure,  gave  way,  and  was  swept  down  the 
river,  where  its  timbers  coming  in  contact  with  the  rail 
road  bridge,  carried  it  away  also,  and  the  wreck  of  both 
coming  in  contact  with  the  canal  boats,  broke  them  from 
their  moorings,  destroying  the  bridge  that  rested  upon 
them,  sending  them  drifting  down  the  river.  The  gun 
boats  fortunately  were  enabled  to  get  out  of  the  way,  and 
succeeded  in  recovering  them  all.  As  soon  as  it  was 
known  in  the  city  that  oar  bridges  were  in  danger,  the 
inhabitants  of  both  sexes  collected  upon  the  shore,  and 
as  each  structure  gave  way  they  demonstrated  their  joy 
by  loud  cheers  and  the  waving  of  handkerchiefs. 

On  Sunday  morning,  the  8th,  orders  were  received  to 
prepare  to  march,  and  after  spending  the  day  in  cooking 
rations  and  making  other  necessary  arrangements,  at 
sunset  we  struck  tents,  packed  knapsacks  and  got  into 
line.  It  was  a  clear  and  beautiful  moonlight  night,  and 
as  the'brigade  bands  pealed  forth  their  soul-inspiring  airs 
we  marched  off,  winding  our  way  through  the  woods  and 
over  the  hill  to  the  Kappahannock,  down  which  we 
marched  the  distance  of  seven  miles,  -bivouacking  at  two 
o'clock  that  night  in  Cedar  lane.  The  next  morning 
after  cooking  breakfast  we  marched  to  Gray's  landing, 

*  The  object  of  this  order  was  to  decrease  the  transportation  of 
the  Division  Quartermaster  Department,  and  as  Captain  Hall  did  not 
carry  a  knapsack  on  the  march  he  doubtless  considered  it  a  brilliant 
idea.  Nine-tenths  of  the  shoes  were  thrown  away  by  the  men  on 
the  march. 


EMBARK  FOR  THE  PENINSULA.  103 

one  mile  distant,  where  were  collected  a  fleet  of  steam 
boats  to  receive  us.  By  four  o'clock  our  wagons,  baggage 
and  supplies  were  embarked,  and  marching  aboard  we 
hauled  out  into  the  stream.  Soon  after  General  Reynolds 
pushed  off  in  a  skiff)  and  was  received  with  loud  cheers, 
when  our  bands  striking  up  we  steamed  down  the  river, 
,as  happy  a  set  of  blue  coats  as  ever  trod  this  planet.  At 
sundown  we  came  to  anchor  off  Port  Royal,  where  we 
remained  all  night,  as  we  had  .no  pilot.  The  steamer 
Canonicus  was  a  fine  large  boat,  but  as  she  had  our  regi 
ment  and  five  companies  of  the  First  and  Eighth  aboard, 
she  was  rather  crowded,  and  by  the  time  we  all  got  our 
selves  laid  out  for  the  night,  there  was  scarcely  a  square 
foot  of  deck  unoccupied. 

The  next  morning  at  five  o'clock  we  weighed  anchor, 
and  again  started  on,  accompanied  by  the  ferry  boat 
Chancellor  Livingston,  and  about  one  P.  M.,  came  to 
anchor  near  the  mouth  of  the  river,  where  the  rest  of  the 
flotilla  soon  afterwards  arrived.  The  day  had  been  a 
stormy  one,  but  as  the  wind  lulled  in  the  course  of  a  few 
hours,  we  again  got  under  way,  and  passing  into  Chesa 
peake  bay,  headed  to  the  south  and  at  sunset  entered  the 
York  river,  passing  by  Yorktown  and  Gloucester  City 
and  coming  to  anchor  during  the  night  off  West  Point 
at  the  confluence  of  the  Pamunkey  and  Mattapony  rivers. 
Early  on  the  llth  we  again  got  under  way  and  entering 
the  Pamunkey,  steatned  rapidly  up  it.  This  river  winds 
through  a  low,  flat  country,  and  on  account  of  its  exceed 
ingly  crooked  course,  it  was  interesting  to  watch  our 
flotilla  with  their  bows  sometimes  pointing  in  every 
direction.  In  fact  when  a  strange  steamer  was  discerned, 
it  was  impossible  to  tell  whether  she  was  going  up  or 
down  the  river,  and  when  one  was  but  a  half  mile  from 
us  in  a  direct  line  she  was  many  times  that  distance  off 
by  the  river.  A  "  dark,"  who  had  resided  in  the  neigh 
borhood,  it  was  said,  answered  that  it  was  so  crooked  in 
some  places  that  it  was  impossible  to  cross  it.  as  no 
matter  how  often  one  rowed  over,  he  would  invariably 


104  OUR   CAMPAIGNS. 

find  himself  on  the  same  side.  We  soon  commenced 
meeting  Government  transports,  mostly  steamers  and 
schooners  laden  with  forage  for  the  cavalry  and  artil 
lery.  The  farther  we  ascended  the  more  numerous  they 
became,  until  they  numbered  hundreds  lining  the  banks 
of  the  river  for  a  long  distance  and  obstructing  the  navi 
gation.  About  nine  o'clock  we  arrived  at  the  White 
House,  where  we  landed  and  stacked  arms,  awaiting 
orders. 

White  House  is  situated  on  the  Pamunkey,  where  the 
Eichmond  and  York  Eiver  Railroad  crosses,  and  was  a 
position  of  great  importance,  being  the  depot  of  supplies 
for  the  army  in  front  of  Richmond.  The  house  itself  is 
an  object  of  interest,  being  the  spot  where  Washington 
met  and  loved  Martha  Custis  in  1758.  At  the  landing 
there  was  a  forest  of  masts,  and  for  a  half  mile  the  shore 
was  covered  with  commissary  stores  and  ammunition. 
There  were  thousands  of  tons  on  the  wharf  boats,  and 
thousands  more  awaiting  to  be  landed.  There  were 
many  commissary,  sutler,  guard  and  other  tents  there, 
and  many  soldiers,  sutlers,  Government  employees  and 
contrabands,  who,  with  innumerable  wagons  and  order 
lies,  continually  moving  to  and  fro,  and  the  arrival  and 
departure  of  trains  presented  a  scene  of  life  and  activity. 
Some  distance  back  from  the  river  was  a  canvas  town, 
consisting  of  several  hundred  hospital  tents,  arranged  in 
regular  streets,  with  board  floors  and  beds  in  them,  and 
every  thing  prepared  for  the  wounded  of  the  coming 
battles. 

The  boys  having  had  time  to  wash  themselves  and 
replenish  their  stock  of  tobacco,  the  brigade  formed  and 
marched  up  the  railroad  about  two  miles,  passing  an 
establishment  "  for  the  embalming  the  dead,"  whose  pro 
prietors  distributed  to  their  anticipated  customers  a 
bountiful  supply  of  handbills.  Moving  into  a  field  to 
the  left,  we  bivouacked  for  the  night.  Here  our  baggage 
was  reduced  to  the  lowest  possible  amount,  the  officers 
being  required  to  send  to  the  landing  all  but  a  small 


DISPATCH  STATION".  105 

valise  or  knapsack,  and  the  companies  being  allowed 
their  cooking  utensils  only.  Orders  were  issued  to  cook 
three  days'  rations,  we  borrowing  from  the  First  and 
Fifth  kettles  for  the  purpose. 

At  nine  o'clock  the  next  morning,  we  formed  and 
marched  off  up  the  railroad  which  runs  nearly  due  west 
from  here,  passing  Tunstall's  Station.  The  country 
through  which  we  moved  was  mostly  low,  heavily 
wooded,  and  interspersed  with  numerous  swamps.  In 
some  places  where  there  were  deep  cuts,  there  were 
large  deposits  of  marine  shells  and  corals  that  indicated 
that  at  one  time  this  portion  of  the  Peninsula  had  been 
the  bed  of  the  sea.  The  same  formation  was  found  in 
other  portions  of  the  Peninsula.  The  day  being  exces 
sively  warm  many  of  the  men  threw  away  their  over 
coats  and  blankets  to  lighten  their  loads.  About  four 
o'clock  we  passed  Dispatch  Station  and  moved  to  the 
right  of  the  road  and  encamped  on  the  edge  of  a.  heavy 
wood  near  the  Chickahominy  river,  we  having  marched 
ten  miles.  Through  the  day  we  heard  the  slow  fire  of 
heavy  guns. 


CHAPTER  XII. 

SIEGE  OF  YORKTOWN.  BATTLE  OF  WILLIAMSBURG.  SKIRMISHES 
AT  SEVEN  PINES,  COLD  HARBOR  AND  MECHANICSYILLE.  BAT 
TLE  OF  HANOVER  COURT  HOUSE.  BATTLE  OF  FAIR  OAKS. 
ATTACK  ON  TUNSTALL'S  STATION.  MARCH  TO  THE  CHTCKA- 
HOMINY.  NANALEY'S  MILL.  SHELLING  THE  ENEMY.  BATTLE 
OF  OAK  GROVE. 

BEFORE  proceeding  further,  it  will  be  necessary  here 
to  refer  to  the  movements  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac 
since  its  debarkation  on  the  Peninsula.  The  presenca 
of  the  enemy's  steamer  Merimac  in  the  James  river 
closed  it  to  us,  as  a  line  of  water  communication  be- 


106  OUR    CAMPAIGN'S. 

twcen  Fortress  Monroe  and  the  army  operating  against 
Kichmond.  To  gain  possession  of  the  York  river  and 
its  tributaries  for  that  purpose,  the  reduction  of  York- 
town  was  necessary.  Therefore,  on  the  4th  of  April,  the 
army  took  up  its  line  of  march  from  the  camping  ground 
near  Hampton  to  that  point.  At  Big  Bethel  the  enemy's 
pickets  were  encountered,  but  they  fell  back  to  Howard's 
creek,  to  which  point  they  were  followed  by  the  main 
body  of  the  army. 

THE  SIEGE  OF  YORKTOWN,  APRIL  5rrn  TO  MAY  4TH, 
1862. — The  next  morning  the  column  again  advanced, 
and  in  a  few  hours  was  in  front  of  the  enemy's  works  at 
Yorktown.  On  examination  of  their  position  it  proved 
to  be  one  of  the  strongest  that  could  be  opposed  to  an 
invading  force,  and  the  delays  thereby  created  occupied 
until  the  1st  of  May,  when  our  siege  batteries  opened 
fire  on  the  enemy's  works,  which  during  the  night  of 
the  3d  they  evacuated,  leaving  two  3-inch  rifled  cannon, 
two  4J-inch  rifled  cannon,  sixteen  32-pounders,  six  42- 
pounders,  nineteen  8-inch  Columbiads,  four  9- inch  Dahl- 
grens,  one  10-inch  Columbiad,  one  10-inch  mortar,  and 
one  8-inch  siege  howitzer,  with  carriages  and  implements 
complete,  and  seventy-six  rounds  of  ammunition  to  each 
piece.  Besides  these  there  were  a  large  number  of  guns 
left  at  Gloucester  Point  and  other  works  on  the  left. 

BATTLE  OF  WILLIAMSBURG,  MAY4TH,5TH,  GTH,  AND?TH. 
— General  McClellan  immediately  threw  all  his  cavalry 
and  horse-artillery  in  pursuit,  under  General  Stoneman, 
Chief  of  Cavalry,  supported  by  infantry  under  Generals 
Heintzelman,  Hooker  and  Smith,  who  were  followed  by 
the  divisions  of  Kearney,  Couch  and  Casey,  all  under 
General  Sumner,  the  second  in  command  of  the  army. 
Two  miles  east  of  Williamsburg,  the  advance  came  upon 
the  enemy's  works,  four  miles  in  extent,  over  two-thirds 
of  their  front  being  covered  by  the  branches  of  College 
and  Queen's  Creeks.  The  principal  works  were  Fort 
Magruder,  and  twelve  other  redoubts  and  epaulements 
for  field  guns.  THe  woods  in  front  of  the  fort  were  felled, 


BATTLE  OF  WILLIAMSBURG.  107 

and  the  open  ground  dotted  with  rifle  pits.  From  this 
position  the  enemy  opened  fire  upon  the  advance  guard 
as  it  debouched  from  the  woods,  which  being  unsup 
ported  by  infantry,  was  forced  to  retire,  but  held  the 
enemy  in  check  until  the  arrival  of  General  Sumner  with 
part  of  Smith's  division,  at  half-past  five  P.  M.  Heint- 
zelman  and  Keyes  reached  the  ground  during  the  after 
noon.  Early  the  next  morning  General  Hooker  came 
up,  and  began  the  attack  on  the  enemy's -works  at  seven 
and-a-half  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  the  6th,  and  for  a 
time  silenced  Fort  Magruder.  Although  the  enemy  was 
heavily  reinforced,  and  attacked  in  turn,  capturing  five 
guns  and  inflicting  heavy  loss  on  Hooker,  whose  ammu 
nition  was  nearly  exhausted,  he  maintained  his  position 
until  near  four  P.  M.,  when  Kearney  arrived,  and  repuls- 
ing  the  enemy,  held  possession  of  the  ground  that  night. 
The  battle  was  renewed  the  next  day,  and  about  four 
P.  M.,  General  McClellan  arriving  from  YorktOA\rn,  took 
command  in  person.  Fearing  there  was  no  direct  com 
munication  between  the  centre  and  left  under  Heintzel- 
man,  and  hearing  heavy  firing  in  the  direction  of  Han 
cock's  command,  he  moved  the  centre  forward,  attempting 
to  open  communication  with  Heintzelman,  and  sent  Smith 
and  JSTaglee  to  the  support  of  Hancock.  Before  these 
Generals  reached  Hancock,  however,  he  was  confronted 
by  a  superior  force.  Feigning  to  retreat  slowly,  he 
awaited  the  onset,  and  then  turned  upon  them,  and  after 
some  terrific  volleys  of  musketry,  he  charged  them  with 
the  bayonet;  routing  and  dispersing  their  whole  force, 
killing,  wounding  and  capturing  from  five  to  six  hun 
dred  men,  himself  losing  only  thirty-one  men. 

The  enemy  having  fought  to  gain  time  to  save  their 
trains,  abandoned  their  position  during  the  night,  leaving 
the  town  filled  with  their  wounded  in  charge  of  eighteen 
surgeons.  The  official  report  of  our  loss  is  put  down  at 
two  thousand  two  hundred  and  twenty-eight  men  killed, 
wounded  and  missing.  The  army  was  so  much  exhausted 
by  the  marches  and  conflicts  which  resulted  in  the  vie- 


108  OUR   CAMPAIGNS. 

tory  at  Williamsburg,  as  to  render  an  immediate  pursuit 
of  the  enemy  impossible,  in  the  condition  of  the  country. 

The  divisions  of  Franklin,  Sedgwick,  Porter  and 
Eichardson,  were  sent  from  Yorktovvn  by  water  to  the 
vicinity  of  West  Point,  where,  on  the  7th,  General 
Franklin  handsomely  repulsed  the  enemy  under  General 
Whiting,  after  a  battle  of  nearly  five  hours  duration. 

Communication  was  soon  opened  between  the  two 
columns  of  the  army,  and  headquarters  was  established 
at  White  House  on  the  16th,  General  Stoneman  having 
occupied  the  place  some  days  before.  About  the  same 
time  Generals  Franklin,  Smith  and  Porter,  reached  White 
House,  the  roads  being  in  such  a  state  as  to  require 
thirty-six  hours  for  one  train  to  move  five  miles. 

A  permanent  depot  for  supplies  being  established  at 
White  House,  the  army  was  pushed  forward  along  the 
York  Kiver  and  Kichmond  Eailroad,  and  on  the  20th 
the  advance  reached  the  banks  of  the  Chickahominy 
Eiver  at  Bottom's  Bridge,  which,  as  well  as  the  railroad 
bridge  about  a  mile  above,  they  found  destroyed.  The 
operations  of  the  army  embraced  that  portion  of  the  river 
between  this  point  and  Meadow  Bridge,  which  covered 
the  principal  approaches  to  Eichmond  from  the  east,  and 
-  over  which  it  became  necessary  to  construct  eleven  new 
bridges,  all  long  and  difficult,  with  extensive  log- way 
approaches. 

On  the  22d,  headquarters  were  removed  to  Cold  Har 
bor,  and  on  the  2-ith  three  important  skirmishes  took 
place.  General  Naglee  made  a  reconnoissauce  in  force, 
for  the  purpose  of  ascertaining  the  strength  of  the  enemy, 
and  dislodge  them  from  a  position  in  the  vicinity  of  the 
'"  Seven  Pines,"  eight  miles  from  Eichmond.  Another 
portion  of  the  army  had  a  spirited  engagement  of  two 
hours  near  Cold  Harbor,  and  drove  their  assailants  from 
the  field.  A  third  and  brilliant  little  skirmish  took  place 
between  the  brigades  of  General  Stoneman  and  Davidson, 
in  which  they  drove  the  enemy  out  of  Mechanicsville 
with  their  artillery,  forcing  them  to  seek  safety  on  the 


BATTLE  OF  HANOVER  COURT  HOUSE.       109 

opposite  banks  of  the  Chickahominy,  they  destroying  the 
bridge  in  their  retreat.  General  Stoneman  also  sent  a 
portion  of  his  cavalry  three  miles  up  the  river,  and  de 
stroyed  the  bridge  of  the  Eichmond  and  Fredericksburg 
Eailroad. 

THE  BATTLE  OF  HANOVER  COURT  HOUSE;  May  27th. — 
Having  ascertained  that  the  enemy  were  in  force  in  the 
vicinity  of  Hanover  Court  House,  threatening  the  right 
and  rear  of  our  army,  General  McClellan  dispatched 
General  Porter  to  dislodge  them,  for  which  purpose  he 
moved  at  daybreak  on  the  27th.  After  a  fatiguing 
march  of  fourteen  miles  through  the  mud  and  rain, 
General  Emory  arrived  in  position  and  opened  the  battle 
about  noon,  driving  the  enemy  before  him.  The  other 
columns  soon  after  became  engaged,  and  the  enemy  were 
defeated  and  routed  with  the  loss  of  some  two  hundred 
killed,  seven  hundred  and  thirty  prisoners,  a  12-pound 
howitzer,  a  caisson,  a  large  number  of  small  arms,  and 
two  railroad  trains.  Our  loss  amounted  to  fifty-three 
killed,  and  three  hundred  and  forty-four  wounded  and 
missing.  The  enemy's  camp  was  also  captured  and  de 
stroyed.  The  next  day  detachments  were  sent  out, 
which  destroyed  the  railroad  bridges  over  the  Pamunky, 
the  railroad  bridges  of  the  Virginia  Central,  and  of  the 
Fredericksburg  and  Eichmond  roads,  and  the  country 
bridges  over  the  South-Anna.  These  operations  for  a 
time  cleared  our  right  flank  and  rear,  and  cut  off  commu 
nication  by  rail  with  Fredericksburg,  and  with  Jackson 
via  Gordonsville,  excepting  by  the  circuitous  route  of 
Lynchburg. 

On  the  28th  of  May  our  troops  were  pushed  forward  to 
Fair  Oaks,  their  advance  being  met  with  sharp  opposi 
tion,  and  on  the  30th  their  positions  on  the  south  side  of 
the  Chickahominy  were  as  follows  :  Casey's  division  on 
the  right  of  the  Williamsburg  road,  at  right-angles  to  it, 
the  centre  at  Fair  Oaks ;  Couch's  division  at  the  Seven 
Pines ;  Kearney's  division  on  the  railroad,  from  near 
Savage's  Station  towards  the  bridge ;  Hooker's  division 


110  OUR   CAMPAIGN'S. 

on  the  borders  of  White  Oak  Swamp.  During  the  night 
of  the  30th,  a  violent  storm  occurred,  the  rain  falling  in 
torrents,  making  the  roads  almost  impassable,  and 
threatening  the  destruction  of  the  bridges  over  the 
Chickahominy. 

THE  BATTLE  OF  FAIR  OAKS. — The  enemy  perceiving 
the  unfavorable  position  in  which  our  army  was  placed, 
and  the  possibility  of  destroying  that  part  of  it  which 
was  apparently  cut  off  from  the  main  body  by  the  rap 
idly  rising  stream,  the  next  day  threw  an  overwhelming 
force  upon  the  position  occupied  by  Casey's  division. 
The  battle  opened  about  one  o'clock  P.  M.,  the  attack 
being  made  simultaneously  upon  the  front  and  both 
flanks.  The  unequal  contest  was  maintained  with  great 
gallantry,  the  troops  struggling  against  the  overwhelming 
masses  of  the  enemy,  for  the  space  of  three  hours,  before 
reinforcements  arrived,  and  were  finally  driven  from  the 
field  with  heavy  loss,  and  the  position  occupied  by  Casey 
taken  by  the  enemy.  During  this  time  the  troops  of 
Hein'tzelman,  Kearney,  Sumner,  Keyes,  Couch  and  Sedg- 
wick,  were  engaged,  and  in  a  measure  retrieved  the 
disaster  of  the  day,  and  when  night  closed  the  contest, 
the  enemy  fell  back  to  their  defensive  line. 

During  the  night  our  lines  were  newly  formed,  and 
artillery  placed  in  position,  and  at  five  o'clock  the  next 
morning,  June  1st,  the  battle  was  again  renewed.  The 
enemy  boldly  advanced  without  skirmishers,  with  two 
columns  of  attack  supported  by  infantry  in  line  of  battle 
on  each  side,  apparently  determined  to  carry  all  before 
him  by  one  crushing  blow.  He  was  met,  however,  with, 
gallant  resistance,  and  through  the  fierce  battle  he  was 
driven  back  at  every  point,  our  troops  pushing  forward 
to  the  extreme  lines  held  by  them  the  day  before,  re 
covering  their  own  wounded  and  capturing  the  enemy's. 
Our  total  loss  was  five  thousand  seven  hundred  and 
thirty -seven,  and  of  the  enemy,  per  their  official  report, 
six  thousand  seven  hundred  and  eighty-three. 

The  only  communication  between  the  two  banks  of 


TUN-STALL'S  STATION.  Ill 

the  Chickaliominy  were  Bottom's,  New  and  Mechanics- 
ville  bridges,  the  two  latter  being  completely  enfiladed 
by  the  enemy's  batteries 'upon  the  commanding  heights 
opposite,  supported  by  strong  forces,  having  numerous 
rifle-pits  in  their  front,  which  would  have  made  it 
necessary  to  have  fought  a  sanguinary  battle,  with  not 
a  certain  prospect  of  success,  before  a  passage  could 
have  been  secured.  Therefore,  to  have  advanced  on 
Richmond  soon  after  the  battle,  it  would  have  been 
necessary  to  inarch  the  troops  from  Mechanicsville  and 
other  points  on  the  north  bank  of  the  Chickahominy 
down  to  Bottom's  bridge  and  thence  to  Fair  Oaks,  a  dis 
tance  of  twenty-three  miles,  which  in  the  condition  of 
the  roads  would  have  required  two  days  to  accomplish 
with  artillery,  by  which  time  the  enemy  would  have 
been  secure  within  his  entrenchments,  but  five  miles 
distant. 

On  the  18th  of  June  we  rested.  In  the  afternoon 
orders  were  received  to  be  prepared  to  move  at  daylight 
the  next  morning.  Soon  after  orders  were  issued  to 
move  immediately,  then  orders  came  to  draw  five  days' 
rations,  three  of  which  were  to  be  cooked  and  two  put 
in  the  knapsacks.  By  the  time  we  had  got  through, 
about  eleven,  news  was  received  that  an  attack  had  been 
made  upon  "Tunstall's  Station,"  in  our  rear,  and  our 
brigade  was  ordered  out.  The  night  was  a  beautiful 
moonlight  one,  and  after  a  march  of  eight  miles  we 
reached  there',  but  the  enemy  had  left.  The  "Back- 
tails,"  Fifth  and  Eighth  were  posted  on  the  different 
roads,  and  we  ordered  t  j  occupy  a  commanding  position 
and  hold  the  station. 

•  It  appears  that  two  squadrons  of  the  Fifth  United 
States  Cavalrv,  under  the  command  of  Captain  Royall, 
stationed  near  Hanover  Old  Church,  were  attacked  and 
overpowered  by  a  force  of  the  enemy's  cavalry,  number 
ing  about  one  thousand  live  hundred  men,  with  four 
guns,  who  pushed  on  towards  the  White  House  in  hopes 
of  destroying  the  stores  and  shipping  there,  but  the  for- 


112  OUK   CAMPAIGNS. 

tunate  arrival  of  the  Tliird  Brigade  of  Eeserves  frus 
trated  their  design.  Upon  the  enemy's  arrival  at  the 
station  a  portion  of  them  dismounted  and  awaited  the 
arrival  of  the  train,  upon  which  they  fired,  killing  one 
man  and  wounding  several  others.  The  engineer  imme 
diately  put  on  steam  and  succeeded  in  running  the  train 
through.  After  this  they  set  fire  to  the  station-house 
and  a  car  loaded  with  grain,  and  then  tearing  up  a  rail 
retired  -to  a  neighboring  wood  to  await  the  arrival  of 
another  train  now  due.  Upon  the  arrival  of  our  brigade, 
however,  they  skedaddled. 

The  next  morning  a  number  of  laborers,  who  had 
escaped  and  hid  themselves  in  the  woods  came  in,  as 
also  Colonel  G.  B.  Hall,  Second  Excelsior  Brigade,  who 
fell  from  a  platform  car  and  was  captured  by  the  enemy. 
They  bound  his  hands  together  and  tied  him  to  the 
stirrup  of  one  of  the  men,  but  during  the  confusion  of 
their  skedaddle  upon  our  arrival,  he  managed  to  give 
them  the  slip.  The  bodies  of  two  or  three  poor  laborers 
who  had  been  wantonly  killed  were  found  and  buried. 
Near  the  station  they  captured  and  burnt  a  number  of 
Government  and  sutler  wagons,  from  which  they  got 
considerable  liquor,  and  some  of  them  indulging  rather 
freely,  they  were  found  lying  around  loose  in  the  woods 
next  morning  and  brought  in.  A  Dutch  butcher  of 
Eichmond  came  riding  in,  in  a  most  glorious  state  of 
felicity,  tickled  half  to  death  with  the  fun  of  the  night 
before,  which  he  related  to  us  with  great  gusto,  and  pro 
posed  taking  a  drink  with  any  one  who  had  liquor,  and 
shooting  the  Yankee  prisoners.  The  terror  of  the  poor 
devil  upon  discovering  his  mistake,  almost  instantly 
sobered  him,  and  the  boys,  after  frightening  him  to  their 
hearts'  content  "  bucked  and  gagged "  him,  and  turned 
him  over  to  the  guard. 

The  day  being  excessively  hot,  we  were  moved  across 
the  railroad  to  a  wood  upon  a  hill,  where  we  remained 
until  the  next  morning.  Daring  the  night  companies  K 
and  H,  Captain  Smith  and  Lieutenant  Kennedy  were 


TO   THE  CHICKAHOMINY.  113 

sent  on  picket,  and  Lieutenants  Jack  and  Black  were 
sent  out  with  detachments -to  scour  the  woods,  the  latter 
returning  with  five  prisoners. 

On  Sunday  the  15th,  the  enemy  having  all  disap 
peared,  we  returned  to  our  former  camping  ground,  the 
weather  being  oppressively  hot  and  the  men  straggling 
much.  The  entire  damage  done  by  the  enemy,  besides 
that  referred  to  above,  was  the  killing  of  several  of  the 
guard  and  teamsters  at  Garlick's  Landing,  and  the  burn 
ing  of  two  schooners  laden  with  forage,  they  making  the 
entire  circuit  of  the  army,  repassing  the  Chickahominy 
at  Long  Bridge.  It  is  somewhat  remarkable  that  this 
raid  was  commanded  by  Fitz  Hugh  Lee,  and  executed  a 
few  days  after  the  return  of  his  mother  to  Richmond, 
from  a  visit  to  the  White  House,  where  she  had  been 
furnished  with  a  pass  and  escort  by  General  Eitz  John 
Porter,  who  was  a  welcomed  guest  to  her  hospitalities 
prior  to  the  war. 

More  effectually  to  conceal  from  the  enemy  our  posi 
tions  and  numbers,  orders  were  issued  prohibiting  the 
sounding  of  all  calls,  and  ordering  the  tying  to  trees  of 
any  who  discharged  their  pieces.  Every  morning  early 
the  enemy  opened  on  our  fatigue  parties  at  work  on  the 
bridges,  which  the  boys  said  was  "Jeff  calling  the  roll." 

On  the  afternoon  of  the  J  6th  the  division  was  formed 
at  five  o'clock  to  receive  General  McClellan,  but  we  were 
disappointed,  and  after  waiting  an  hour  we  returned  to 
our  quarters.  The  next  day  we  formed  at  nine,  A.  M., 
to  receive  the  general,  and  remained  in  position  until 
twelve,  M.,  and  reformed  at  six,  when  orders  were  read 
to  us  to  march  the  next  morning,  which  were  received 
with  enthusiasm.  During  the  evening  we  were  busy 
cooking  rations,  and  at  three  the  next  morning,  com 
panies  B  and' A,  Captains  McDonough  and  Neide  were 
recalled  from  picket.  At  five  o'clock  we  moved  off  in  a 
northwesterly  direction  parallel  with  the  Chickahominy, 
and  after  marching  eight  miles  encamped  about  noon 
near  Games'  House,  and  about  three  hundred  yards  from 

8 


114  OUR   CAMPAIGNS. 

the  river.  Our  bivouac  was  on  an  opening  to  the  lof 
of  the  road,  and  between  us  and  the  river  was  a  heavy 
woods,  from  the  edge  of  which  we  could  see  the  enemy 
on  the  other  side  busy  at  work.  In  the  afternoon  they 
opened  with  artillery  on  the  workmen  on  the  New  bridge, 
to  which  the  Reserve  artillery  responded,  and  with  the 
exception  of  one  man  wounded  and  a  gun  dismounted, 
no,  damage  was  done  our  side.  This  artillery  practice 
and  skirmishing  was  of  daily  occurrence. 

The  next  morning,  the  19th,  at  day  break  we  moved 
off  to  Ellerson's  mills,  on  the  river  road  where  it  crosses 
Beaver  Darn  creek,  about  one  and  a  half  miles  distance, 
where  we  remained  some  time,  and  then  counter-march 
ing  and  moving  to  the  left  we  bivouacked  in  an  oat-field 
near  a  woods,  where  the  Sixth  Pennsylvania  cavalry 
(Rush's  Lancers)  were  encamped.  The  same  afternoon 
Mr.  Hall  made  an  ascension  in  one  of  Professor  Lowe's 
balloons  near  our  camp,  for  the  purpose  of  reconnoiter- 
ing,  but  the  enemy  opening  upon  him  from  one  of  their 
batteries,  he  thought  it  prudent  to  postpone  his  aerial 
operations.  Early  the  next  morning  we  moved  back 
about  one  mile  to  Nanaley's  mill,  where  we  encamped 
between  the  house  and  the  road  near  a  fine  wood  and  a 
large  mill-dam,  where  the  boys  enjoyed  the  luxury  of 
bathing. 

Our  division  upon  its  arrival  was  not  attached  to  any 
Army  Corps,  but  was  assigned  to  the  extreme  right  of 
the  line,  which  was  considered  the  post  of  honor. 

On  the  21st,  orders  were  received  to  hold  ourselves  in 
readiness,  to  move  night  or  day,  at  a  moment's  notice, 
and  each  morning  to  be  under  arms  at  three  o'clock,  and 
remain  so  until  daylight.  The  same  day,  Lieutenant 
Fletcher  and  Sergeant  Pidgeon  arrived  in  camp  from  re 
cruiting  service.  On  the  23rd,  we  were  under  arms  all 
the  afternoon,  and  loaned  our  intrenching  tools  to  the 
Fifth. 

Early  on  the  morning  of  the  24th,  we  started  on  picket 
to  Mechanicsville,  about  one  mile  distant,  where  we  found 


ON  PICKET.  115 

the  Twelfth  Reserves,  Colonel  John  H.  Taggart,  four 
companies  of  Hush's  Lancers  and  Cooper's  Battery ;  Col 
onel  Taggart,  being  in  command  of  the  line,  he  being 
the  senior  officer.  Our  regiment  forming  the  Reserve, 
we  laid  in  the  grove  back  of  Dr.  Lumkin's  house.  Me- 
chanicsville  lies  on  the  high  ground,  overlooking  the 
Chickahominy  on  its  north  bank,  from  which  it  is  about 
five  hundred  yards  distance.  It  consists  of  a  church  and 
some  fifteen  houses,  all  of  which  were  deserted  and  per 
forated  by  shot  and  shell.  The  south  bank  of  the  river- 
rises  gradually  for  about  a  half  mile,  where  a  long  line 
of  redoubts  and  rifle  pits  front  a  heavy  wood.  In  the 
centre  of  the  stream  is  an  island,  which  is  connected 
with  either  shore  by  a  bridge,  we  holding  one  end  of  it, 
and  the  enemy  the  other,  the  island  being  neutral  ground. 
The  pickets  at  this  point,  although  quite  near  one 
another,  remained  on  good  terms,  the  -enemy's  relief, 
upon  one  occasion,  presenting  arms  to  Lieutenant-Col 
onel  Mclntire,  of  the  First  Reserves,  as  he  was  visiting 
one  of  .our  posts.  We  were  disposed,  at  this  time,  to 
show  acts  of  courtesy  to  one  another,  as  we  daily  ex 
pected  to  meet  in  battle.  Richmond  is  but  live  miles 
distant  from  Mechanicsville,  and  from  a  shed  near  the 
road-side  we  could  see  its  spires.  One  of  our  officers 
wagered  a  hundred  segars  he  would  be  in  the  city  in 
one  week — he  was,  but  as  a  prisoner. 

During  the  night,  the  position  of  our  guns  were 
changed  and  General  Reynolds  required  hourly  reports 
to  be  made  to  him  in  writing.  All  passed  quietly  and 
the  next  morning  we  were  up  and  in  line  at  three  o'clock. 
There  being  strong  indications  of  a  movement  on  the  part 
of  the  enemy,  about  five,  P.  M.,  orders  were  received 
to  feel  them  with  our  guns,  to  ascertain,  if  possible,  what 
they  were  at,  and  accordingly  Cooper's  battery  threw 
about  twenty  shells,  but  without  eliciting  any  response. 
We  subsequently  ascertained,  what  we  then  suspected, 
that  they  were  moving  off  to  our  right.  The  shells, 


116  OUR   CAMPAIGNS. 

however,  dropped   beautifully  among   them,   and   sent 
their  wagons  hurriedly  down  the  pike. 

BATTLE  OF  OAK  GROVE,  June  25th. — While  this  was 
transpiring  on  our  extreme  right,  a  more  interesting 
scene  was  enacting  on  the  left.  The  bridges  and  in- 
trenchments  being  at  last  completed,  an  advance  of  our 
picket  line  on  the  left  was  ordered  on  the  25th,  prepara 
tory  to  a  general  forward  movement.  •  General  Hooker's 
division  of  Heintzelman's  corps,  was  pushed  forward  to 
occupy  "  Oak  Grove,"  a  new  and  important  position  in 
front  of  the  most  advanced  redoubt  on  the  Williamsburg 
road,  and  while  advancing  through  a  dense  thicket  and 
an  almost  impassable  swamp,  was  suddenly  attacked  by 
the  enemy,  whom  they  repulsed  and  drove  back.  The 
fighting  continued  off  and  on  during  the  day,  and  at  sun 
set  our  object  was  accomplished,  with  the  loss  of  fifty- 
one  killed,  four  hundred  and  one  wounded  and  sixty-four 
missing,  making  a  total  of  five  hundred  and  sixteen. 
The  enemy's  loss  was  about  equal  in  number. 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

STRENGTH  OP  THE  OPPOSING  ARMIES.  OPENING  OF  THE  SEVEN 
DAYS'  BATTLES.  BATTLE  OF  MECHANICSVILLE.  BATTLE  OF 
GAINES'  MILLS.  CROSSING  THE  CHICKAHOMINY. 

IN"  anticipation  of  a  speedy  advance  on  Richmond,  to 
provide  for  the  contingency  of  our  communications  with 
the  depot  at  the  White  House  being  severed  by  the 
enemy,  and  at  the  same  time  to  prepare  for  a  change 
of  the  base  of  our  operations  to  James  river,  if  circum 
stances  should  render  it  advisable,  arrangements  were 
made  on  the  18th  of  June  to  have  transports  with  sup 
plies  of  provisions  and  forage  sent  up  the  James  river  to 
Harrison's  Landing. 

By  the   report   of  the   chief  of  the   "secret   service 


STRENGTH  OF  THE  ARMIES.  117 

corps,"  dated  the  26th  of  June,  the  estimate  strength  of 
the  enemy  is  put  down  at  about  one  hundred  and  eighty 
thousand,  and  the  specific  information  obtained  regard 
ing  their  organization,  warrants  «the  belief  that  this  esti 
mate  did  not  exceed  his  actual  strength.  It  is  shown 
in  the  report  that  there  were  two  hundred  regiments  of 
infantry  and  cavalry;  including  the  forces  of  Jackson  and 
Ewell,  just  arrived  ;  eight  battalions  of  independent 
troops,  five  battalions  of  artillery ;  twelve  companies  of 
infantry  and  independent  cavalry,  and  forty-six  comp 
anies  of 'artillery ;  amounting  in  all,  to  from  forty  to 
fifty  brigades.  There  were  undoubtedly  many  others 
whose  designations  were  not  known. 

The  report  also  shows  that  numerous  and  heavy  earth 
works  had  been  completed  for  the  defence  of  Richmond, 
and  that  in  thirty -six  of  these  were  mounted  some  two 
hundred  guns. 

On  the  14th  of  May,  General  McClellan  in  his  official 
report  states  "I  cannot  bring  into  actual  battle  against 
the  enemy  more  than  eighty  thousand  men  at  'the  ut 
most."  Subsequent  to  that,  he  certainly  did  not  receive 
reinforcements  of  more  than  ten  thousand  men,  and  de 
ducting  from  this  total  of  ninety  thousand,  the  losses 
sustained  in  the  three  skirmishes  of  the  24th  of  May  at 
Seven  Pines,  Cold  Harbor  and  Mechanicsville,  and  at  the 
battles  of  Hanover  Court  House  and  Fair  Oaks  and 
minor  skirmishes,  with  the  usual  sickness  attendant  upon 
the  unhealthy  position  of  the  army,  it  may  be  safely 
stated  that  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  did  not  number 
over  eighty  thousand  fighting  men  at  the  opening  of  the 
Seven  Day's  battles. 

From  information  received  from  spies,  contrabands 
and  a  deserter  as  early  as  the  24th,  General  McClellan 
had  strong  reasons  to  suppose  the  enemy  meditated  an 
attack  upon  his  right  and  rear,  and  on  the  26th  of  June, 
the  day  decided  upon  for  the  final  advance  on  Richmond 
the  enemy  anticipated  our  movement  by  attacking  our 
army. 


118  OUR   CAMPAIGNS. 

THE  BATTLE  OF  MECHANICSVILLE,  June  26th.— Early 
that  day  our  regiment  was  relieved  by  the  Fifth  Reserve, 
Colonel  Simmons,  and  marched  back  to  camp.  At  eleven 
o'clock  we  were  ordered  under  arms,  and  at  twelve,  noon, 
just  as  our  dinners  were  cooked,  but  before  we  could  eat 
them,  orders  came  to  fall  in  with  cartridge  boxes  and 
muskets.  Marching  up  to  Mechanic sville  we  turned  to 
the  right  and  moved  up  the  river  road  to  "Shady  Grove 
Church,"  where  we  met  the  Eighth  Illinois  cavalry,  Col 
onel  Farnsworth,  who  were  being  driven  in  by  the  enemy 
who  had  crossed  the  Chickahominy  at  Meadow  bridge. 
Colonel  McCandless  had  some  time  before  deployed 
.Company  B,  Captain  McDonough,  as  skirmishers,  and 
learning  that  the  enemy  were  approaching  in  overpower 
ing  force,  he  deployed  the  regiment  across  the  road  in 
connection  with  the  Eighth  Illinois  to  produce  caution 
on  their  part,  and  thus  gain  time  to  withdraw  to  Me 
et  anicsville,  where  General  Reynolds  with  the  rest  of 
our  brigade  and  General  Meade  with  his,  were  drawn  up. 
Three  companies  of  the  "Bucktails,"  under  Major  La 
Roy  Stone,  who  were  on  our  left,  were  surrounded  by  a 
heavy  force  of  the  enemy,  but  two  of  them  cut  their  way 
through,  company  K,  being  captured.  At  Mechanics- 
ville  the  line  was  again  formed,  and  soon  afterwards  we 
withdrew  to  Beaver  Dam  Creek,  where  it  was  determined 
to  give  battle. 

This  position  was  naturally  a  strong  one,  the  left  rest 
ing  on  the  Chickahominy  and  the  right  extending  to 
dense  woods  (beyond  the  upper  Mechanicsville  road) 
which  were  occupied.  The  passage  of  the  creek  was 
difficult  throughout  the  greater  part  of  the  front,  and, 
with  the  exception  of  the  roads  crossing  at  Ellerson's 
Mill,  near  the  left,  and  that  near  the  right,  above  men 
tioned,  impracticable  for  artillery.  On  the  right  of  the 
last  named  road  an  epaulement  calculated  for  four  pieces 
of  field  artillery  was  thrown  up,  and  rifle-pits  constructed 
on  the  left  of  the  road. 

The  line  of  battle  was  formed  in  the  following  order 


BATTLE  OF  MECHAXIGSVILLE.  119 

from  right  to  left :  On  the  extreme  right  was  the  seven 
companies  of  the  Second  regiment,  Lieutenant-colonel 
McCandless ;  then  six  companies  of  the  "  Bucktails," 
Major  Stone  with  four  guns  of  Cooper's  battery  in  the 
cpaukment ;  the  Fifth  regiment,  Colonel  Simmons  in  the 
rifle-pits  on  the  left  of  the  road ;  the  First  regiment, 
Colonel  Koberts;  the  Eighth  regiment,  Colonel  Hays; 
the  Tenth  regiment,  Colonel  Kirk ;  the  Ninth  regiment, 
Colonel  Jackson ;  and  the  Twelfth  regiment,  Colonel 
Taggart,  which  occupied  the  extreme  left.  General 
Meade's  brigade,  which  was  in  reserve,  consisted  of  the 
Third  regiment,  Colonel  Sickel ;  the  Fourth  regiment, 
Colonel  Magilton  ;  and  the  Seventh  regiment,  Colonel 
Harvey.  Easton's  battery  of  four  twelve-pound  Napoleon 
guns,  and  Kern's  battery  of  six  twelve  pound  howitzers, 
were  also  held  in  reserve.  It  should  here  be  mentioned 
that  the  Sixth  regiment,  Lieutenant-colonel  McKean, 
was  detached  at  Tunstall's  Station,  and  the  Eleventh 
regiment,  Colonel  Gallagher,  was  on  picket  on  the 
Chickahominy. 

The  position  of  the  Second  regiment,  as  before  noticed, 
was  on  the  extreme  right,  with  a  heavy  wood  in  front 
and  a  ford  near  the  right  of  it.  Companies  K  and  II, 
Captain  Smith  and  Lieutenant  Kennedy  were  detached 
under  Major  Woodward  with  orders  to  hold  this  ford  at 
all  hazards ;  and  Company  C,  Captain  Byrnes,  was  posted 
on  the  left  in  a  dry  swamp  between  us  and  the  "Buck- 
tails." 

About  three  o'clock  the  enemy's  lines  were  formed  on 
the  opposite  side  of  the  swamp  and  their  skirmishers 
rapidly  advanced,  delivering  their  fire  as  they  came 
forward.  They  were  speedily  driven  back  by  the  artil 
lery  and  a  rattling  reply  of  musketry.  In  a  short  time  the 
main  body,  who  were  commanded  by  General  Kobert  E. 
Lee,  in  person,  boldly  advanced  in  force  under  cover  of 
a  heavy  artillery  fire,  and  attacked  the  whole  front.  It 
soon  became  apparent  that  the  main  point  of  their  attack 
was  the  extreme  right,  upon  which  they  opened  a  heavy 


120  OUR   CAMPAIGNS. 

fire  of  round  shot  and  shell,  and  precipitated  column 
after  column  of  Georgian  and  Louisiana  troops,  who 
waded  to  their  middle  through  the  water,  and  "boldly 
advanced  up  through  the  woods.  They  were  received 
by  the  Second  on  their  knees,  with  a  withering  fire, 

-  which  they  maintained  without  a  moment's  cessation  for 
over  three  hours.  During  this  time,  assault  after  assault 
was  made  on  the  position,  and  upon  three  separate  occa 
sions  the  enemy  succeeded  in  forcing  themselves  between 
us  and  the  "Bucktails,"  and  gaining  the  clear  ground, 
but  they  were  each  time  driven  back  at  the  point  of 
the  bayonet  by  charges  led  in  person  by  Colonel 
McCandless.  \ 

At  one  time  they  charged  the  left  and  centre  at  the 
same  time,  boldly  pressing  on  their  flags  until  they 
nearly  met  ours,  when  the  fighting  became  of  the  most 
desperate  character,  the  flags  rising  and  falling  as  they 
were  surged  to  and  fro  by  the  contending  parties,  each 
struggling  to  defend  its  own,  and  capture  its  opponents'. 
Our  left  was  driven  back,  the  enemy  at  that  point  having 
passed  the  woods,  bending  our  line  into  a  convexed 
circle.  But  never  for  a  moment  were  we  broken. 
McCandless  placing  himself  in  front  of  the  left,  led  it 
valiantly  to  the  charge,  hurling  the  brave  Georgia  boys 
back,  and  almost  taking  their  flag.  While  this  was 
going  on  in  our  front  Major  Woodward  with  his  two 
companies  was  hotly  engaged  at  the  ford,  the  men 
delivering,  from  behind  trees,  a  slow  but  destructive  fire, 
or  pouring  in  rapid  volleys  when  hard  pressed. 

General  Reynolds,  whose  ever-watchful  eye  was  upon 
the  regiments  of  his  brigade,  several  times  rode  down  to 
our  position,  at  one  time  exclaiming,  as  he  pointed  with 
his  sword,  "  Look  at  them,  boys,  in  the  swamp  there,  they 
are  as  thick  as  flies  on  a  ginger  bread  ;  fire  low,  fire  low." 
Just  before  dark,  when  we  had  driven  back  their  last 
charge,  knowing  we  had  expended  nearly  all  our  ammu- 

.nition,  he  ordered  up  the  First  Reserve,  Colonel  Roberts, 
who,  in  line  of  battle  on  our  left  and  rear,  opened  fir 


BATTLE    OF   MECHANICSVILLE.  121 

but  soon  after  formiDg  in  column  of  division  and  ad 
vancing  deployed  and  opened  again  on  the  retreating 
masses.  At  the  same  time  Kern's  battery  of  six  twelve  - 
pounder  howitzers  supported  by  the  Third  Eeserve, 
Colonel  Sickel,  took  position  some  three  hundred  yards 
to  our  right,  and  we  moved  to  the  right  to  give  play  to 
the  guns,  which  opened  a  most  terrible  fire  of  shell  upon 
the  confused  and  broken  masses  of  the  enemy  on  the 
opposite  side  of  the  swamp.  Colonel  McCandless  here 
offered  to  storm  a  battery  posted  opposite  to  us  across 
the  swamp,  if  support  was  given  to  him,  which  being 
promised,  we  moved  down  the  road  on  our  right  to  the 
lord  held  by  Major  Woodward,  bat  the  promised  sup 
port  luckily  failing  to  come,  the  attempt  was  abandoned, 
and  the  regiment  was  deployed  on  the  edge  of  the  swamp 
and  again  opened  fire.  The  musketry  soon  after  ceased, 
but  the  artillery  fire  was  continued  until  nine  o'clock  at 
night  when  the  battle  ceased,  and  the  Eeserves  slept  on 
the  field  of  victory.  Griffin's  brigade  and  Edward's  battery 
were  also  sent  to  the  right  to  our  support,  but  they  with 
the  Third  regiment  did  not  become  engaged. 

About  five  o'clock  a  most  determined  attempt  was 
made  by  the  enemy  to  force  the  left  at  Ellerson's  Mill, 
but  they  were  gallantly  repulsed  by  General  Seymour, 
who  drove  back  column  after  column  that  was  hurled 
against  him. . 

The  prisoners  taken  by  our  regiment,  mostly  by  com 
panies  H  and  K,  numbered  fifteen,  and  were  utterly 
surprised  at  the  smallness  of  the  force  that  was  opposed 
to  them,  and  expressed  their  full  confidence,  if  permitted 
to  rejoin  their  comrades,  that  they  could  return  and 
drive  us  from  our  position. 

It  was  here  that  the  most  desperate  fighting  was  done, 
our  regiment  which  numbered  but  three  hundred  and 
seventy-one,  officers  and  men,  losing  nearly  one-half  of 
the  number  killed,  and  one-fourth  of  the  killed  and 
wounded  of  the  whole  division,  which  numbered  about 
seven  thousand,  including  officers.  The  enemy  acknow- 


122  OUR   CAMPAIGNS. 

lodged  the  loss  of  -over  five  hundred  men  at  this  point, 
and  General  McCall  puts  down  their  whole  strength  as 
twenty  thousand,  and  states,  in  his  report,  that  he 
"learned  from  official  authority,  while  a  prisoner  in 
fochmond,  that  General  Lee's  loss,  in  killed  and 
wounded,  did  not  fall  short  of  two  thousand ;  and  that 
the  Forty-fourth  Georgia  lost  nearly  two-thirds."  The 
loss  of  the  division  is  officially  reported  at  thirty -three 
killed  and  one  hundred  and  fifty  wounded.  The  great 
disproportion  in  the  losses  must  be  attributed  to  the 
nature  of  the  ground. 

But  while  we  rejoiced  at  the  laurels  entwined  around 
our  banners,  our  hearts  were  saddened  at  the  fall  of  our 
comrades  whose  life  blood  gushed  out  upon  the  field  of 
victory.* 

General  McCall,  in  his  official  report,  honorably  men 
tions  the  conduct  of  Lieutenant-colonel  McCandless  and 
the  regiment  during  the  battle. 

During  the  night  ammunition  was  sent  for  and  distri 
buted  to  the  men.  Companies  H,  and  K,  remained  at 
the  ford  ;  B,  Lieutenant  Jack,  was  thrown  out  on  picket 
to  the  right,  and  the  rest  slept  on  the  field  all  night.  All 
was  the  stillness  of  death,  riot  a  voice  being  heard  save 
the  moaning  of  the  enemy's  wounded  that  came  up  out 
of  the  swamp  and  woods  beyond. 

The  next  morning,  long  before  daybreak,  we  were  in 
line,  and  the  enemy  during  the  night  having  received 
heavy  reinforcements,  the  attack  was  again  commenced, 
but  principally  upon  the  left.  The  position  of  Beaver 
Dam  Creek,  although  so  successfully  defended,  had  its 
extreme  right  flank  too  much  exposed,  and  was  too  far 
from  the  main  army  to  make  it  available  to  retain  it 
longer,  therefore,  just  before  daybreak  orders  were  re 
ceived  from  General  McClellan  for  us  to  fall  back  to  the 
rear  of  Gaines'  Mills.  To  withdraw  a  large  force  in 
broad  daylight,  while  under  fire,  is  one  of  the  most  deli- 

*  See  Appendix,  A. 


MARCH 


TO  GAINES'  MILLS.  123 


cate  and  difficult  movements  in  war,  particularly  in 
presence  of  a  greatly  superior  force.  It,  nevertheless, 
was  most  successfully  accomplished,  great  caution  and 
deliberation  being  used  to  screen  the  movement,  and  the 
troops  being  withdrawn  slowly  and  at  intervals.  Meade's 
brigade  was  the  first  to  move ;  then  came  Griffin's 
brigade  and  battery,  next  Eeynold's  under  cover  of  the 
Bucktailsand  Cooper's  guns,  and  last  Seymour's. 

During  these  movements  a  scattering  fire  of  artillery 
and  musketry  was  kept  up  and  continued  until  all  was 
brought  out.  So  coolly  and  deliberately  was  the  move 
ment  accomplished  that  the  regiments  as  they  filed  past, 
marched  as  steadily  as  if  coming  from  the  parade  ground, 
we  burying  all  our  killed  and  sending  off  our  wounded, 
not  leaving  a  man,  gun  or  musket  on  the  field. 

The  retrograde  movement  at  this  time  was  not  compre 
hended  by  us,  and  we  slowly  fell  back  in  good  order, 
but  in  any  thing  but  a  good  hurnor,  to  the  point  desig 
nated  in  rear  of  Games'  Mills,  where  we  arrived  at  ten 
o'clock  in  the  forenoon.  On  our  route  we  met  Cooper's 
battery  which  we  saved  the  day  before  from  being 
flanked,  and  the  men  freely  distributed  coffee,  bread  and 
tobacco  to  our  hungry  boys  who  had  fasted  for  twenty- 
four  hours: 

THE  BATTLE  OF  GAINES'  MILLS,  JUNE  27TH. — It 
having  been  ascertained  on  the  preceding  night  that  the 
enemy  was  approaching  in  full  force  with  the  intention 
of  cutting  off  our  communication  with  the  White  House, 
General  McClellan  determined  to  carry  out  his  intentions 
of  changing  his  base  from  the  Pamunkey  to  the  James 
Eivers,  for  which  purpose  he  withdrew  the  troops  on  the 
left  bank  of  the  Chickahorniny  to  a  position  around  the 
bridge  heads  where  its  flanks  were  reasonably  secure, 
and  it  was  within  supporting  distance  of  the  main  army. 
This  movement  secured  the  withdrawal  of  all  the  heavy 
guns,  wagons  and  stores  to  the  right  bank  of  the  river, 
and  afforded  time  to  perfect  arrangements  to  secure  the 
adoption  of  the  new  base.  To  General  Fitz  John  Porter 


124  OUR   CAMPAIGNS. 

with,  the  Fifth  Corps  and  all  the  dispdsable  reinforce 
ments,  was  assigned  the  task  of  resisting  the  enemy. 

The  line  of  battle  was  about  an  arc  of  a  circle  formed 
on  the  interior  edge  of  the  dense  woods  bounding  the 
extensive  plain  of  cleared  lands  stretching  some  twelve 
or  fifteen  hundred  yards  back  of  the  river.  Morell's 
division  held  the  left  of  the  line  in  a  strip  of  woods  on 
the  left  bank  of  the  Games'  Mill  stream,  resting  its  left 
flank  on  the  descent  to  the  Chickahominy,  which  was 
swept  by  our  artillery  on  both  sides  of  the  river,  and 
extending  into  open  ground  on  the  right  towards  Cold 
Harbor.  In  this  line  General  Butterfield's  brigade  held 
the  extreme  left,  General  Martindale's  joined  his  right, 
and  General  Griffin,  still  further  to  the  right,  joined  the 
left  of  General  Sykes'  division,  which,  partly  in  woods 
and  partly  in  open  ground,  extended  in  the  rear  of  Cold 
Harbor. 

Each  brigade  held  in  reserve  two  of  its  own  regiments. 
General  McCall  was  informed  by  General  Porter,  that  as 
his  division  had  been  engaged  till  late  the  previous 
night,  and  suffered  from  loss  of  sleep,  and  had  been 
under  fire  for  some  hours  in  the  morning  it  would  be 
held  in  reserve.  It  therefore  formed  the  second  line, 
occupying  the  ground  some  six  hundred  yards  in  the 
rear  of  the  first.  Meade's  brigade  on  the  left  near  the 
Chickahominy.  Eeynold's  brigade  on  the  right  covering 
the  approaches  from  Cold  Harbor  and  Despatch  Station 
to  Sumner's  Bridge,  and  Seymour's  in  reserve  to  the 
second  line,  still  further  in  rear.  The  artillery  occupied 
the  space  between  the  lines  and  the  cavalry  of  the  di 
vision,  the  Fourth  Pennsylvania,  was  placed  under  cover 
of  a  slope  in  the  rear.  General  P.  St.  George  Cooke, 
with  five  companies  of  the  Fifth  Eegular  Cavalry,  two 
squadrons  of  the  First  Eegular,  and  three  squadrons  of 
the  Sixth  Pennsylvania  Cavalry,  (Eush's  Lancers,)  was 
posted  behind  a  hill  in  rear  of  the  position,  and  near  the 
Chickahominy,  to  aid  in  watching  the  left  flank  and  de 
fending  the  slope  of  the  river. 


BATTLE  OF  GAINES'  MILLS.  125 

The  troops  were  all  in  position  by  noon,  with  the  artil 
lery  on  the  commanding  ground,  and  in  the  intervals 
between  the  divisions  and  brigades.  Besides  these 
division  batteries,  there  was  from  the  artillery  reserve 
Tidball's  horse  battery,  posted  on  the  right  of  Syke's 
division,  and  Robertson's  on  the  extreme  left  of  the  line, 
in  the  valley  of  the  Chickahominy.  Shortly  after  noon 
the  enemy  were  discovered  approaching  in  force,  and  it 
soon  became  evident  that  the  entire  position  was  to  be 
attacked.  His  skirmishers  advanced  rapidly,  and  soon 
the  firing  became  heavy  along  the  whole  front.  At  two 
o'clock  P.  M.,  General  Porter  asked  for  reinforcements. 
By  three  P.  M.,  the  engagement  had  become  so  severe, 
and  the  enemy  were  so  greatly  superior  in  numbers,  that 
the  entire  second  line  and  reserves  were  moved  forward 
to  sustain  the  first  line  against  repeated  and  desperate 
assaults  along  the  whole  front. 

The  Second  and  Third  brigades  of  the  Keserve  were 
ordered  forward  and  were  soon  under  fire,  in  some  in 
stances  the  regiments  going  at  once  into  line  where 
intervals  had  been  left,  while  in  others  they  halted 
directly  in  rear  of  the  line  already  formed.  Our  brigade, 
which  had  laid  in  a  sheltered  position  behind  a  hill  for 
five  hours,  with  round  shot  and  shell  continually  whiz 
zing  and  bursting  over  head,  was  soon  after  ordered  to 
advance.  Once  more  the  boys  prepared  for  battle,  their 
brave  hearts  beating  with  high  hopes  of  victory,  and  on 
double  quick  they  moved  to  the  edge  of  a  heavy  swampy 
woods,  where  they  were  halted  for  a  few  moments. 

General  Eeynolds  soon  rode  up,  and  ordered  our  regi 
ment  to  advance  through  the  wood,  clear  it  out  and  take  up 
a  position  on  its  extreme  edge.  Colonel  McCandless  not 
entirely  liking  the  order,  asked  the  General's  permission 
to  move  in  at  right  angles  to  the  position  assigned  to  us, 
on  the  left  of  it.  The  General  was  silent  for  a  moment, 
his  face  bearing  the  expression  of  great  perplexity  and 
dissatisfaction,  when  he  replied,  "  Colonel,  General  Porter 
is  fighting  the  battle  on  certain  parallels,  and  his  orders 


126  OUR   CAMPAIGN'S. 

will  have  to  ba  obeyed."  "  I  would  to  God,"  remarked 
the  Colonel  afterwards,  "I  had  not  asked  him  the  ques 
tion,  but  had  taken  my  regiment  in  by  mistake."  "  For 
ward,"  passed  down  the  line,  and  moving  on  we  advanced 
into  the  wood,  strewed  as  it  was  with  the  dead  and  the 
dying,  and  reaching  its  outer  edge,  laid  down  to  await 
the  coming  storm. 

The  First  Reserve  lay  on  our  right,  the  Sixth  Regu 
lars  in  our  rear,  and  several  other  regiments  near  by.  A 
regiment  of  New  York  Zouaves  were  posted  in  an  open 
field  nbout  five  hundred  yards  in  our  front  and  facing 
us.  Eastern's  battery  of  Reserves  to  our  front  and  right 
were  firing  in  the  opening  between  us  and  parallel  to 
our  front.  The  enemy,  as  we  well  knew  before  we 
entered,  were  on  our  left  flank.  We  may  have  been 
judiciously  posted,  and  good  soldiers  should  not  think, 
but  we  could  not  help  noticing  that  we  were  in  a  better 
position  to  attack  our  own  troops  than  to  inflict  damage 
upon  the  enemy. 

Steadily-  the  solid  columns  of  the  foe  were  advancing 
on  our  left,  their  leading  lines  dressed  in  our  uniform, 
showing  no  flag  and  treacherously  crying  out  they  were 
our  friends,  and  not  to  fire  upon  them.  But  we  were  not 
deceived,  and  poured  into  them  a  left  oblique  fire  with 
good  effect.  But  onward  they  pressed  until  almost  upon 
us,  when  they  poured  into  us  a  deafening  roar  of 
musketry,  above  which  the  artillery  fire  at  times  could 
scarcely  be  distinguished.  Line  after  line  delivered 
their  fire,  and  falling  to  the  ground  gave  range  to  those 
behind  them.  It  sounded  like  one  long  continuous  roar, 
not  a  susceptible  interval  being  perceived  for  several 
'  minutes.  Overpowered,  flanked,  and  with  the  enemy  in 
our  rear,  with  scattered  remnants  of  other  regiments  in 
the  excitement  of  the  moment  firing  into  us,  we  broke 
and  were  scattered  through  the  woods,  fighting  the  best 
we  could  from  behind  trees,  until  finally  we  were  driven 
headlong  out,  with  our  muskets  thoroughly  heated,  and 
our  ammunition  almost  exhausted. 


BATTLE  OF  GAIXES'  MILLS.  127 

We  were  driven  from  the  woods  to  the  right  and  par 
allel  with  the  line  we  entered  on,  but  did  not  retire  more 
than  three  hundred  yards,  before  we  came  to  a  depressed 
road,  where  once  more  we  raised  our  banner  to  the  storm 
and  rallied  the  boys  around  it.  Cut  off  from  our  brigade 
and  division,  we  laid  here,  and  with  Easton's  battery, 
which  was  directly  on  our  right,  held  the  foe  at  bay, 
who  seeing  reinforcements  coming  up,  dared  not  advance 
into  the  open  field. 

Soon  a  gallant  brigade  passed  by,  with  their  arms  at  a 
right  shoulder  and  lines  dressed  with  the  precision  of  a 
parade.  Steadily,  silently  and  firm  paced,  they  advanced 
with  their  glorious  banners  and  glittering  bayonets 
gleaming  in  the  sun,  and  like  a  mass  of  living  valor  en 
tered  the  woods  and  disappeared  from  sight.  Sgon  their 
loud  cheers  and  volleys  told  they  had  met  the  foe.  If 
our  brigade  had  entered  the  woods  as  they  did,  we 
would  have  met  the  enemy  on  our  front  and  not  our  flank. 

At  this  time  we  were  ordered  into  a  low  woods  in  the 
rear  of  Easton's  battery,  but  had  not  remained  there 
long  before  we  were  moved  to  the  left  on  an  open  field. 
Soon  afterwards  we  were  ordered  to  the  right,  and  fur 
ther  to  the  rear  of  the  battery.  An  hour  had  now  passed 
by,  and  soon  a  few  stragglers  were  seen  flying  from  the 
woods,  and  in  a  few  moments  the  foe  burst  upon  us  in 
overwhelming  numbers.  The  guns  of  Easton's  battery 
vomited  forth  their  hail  of  double-shotted  canister  against 
which  it  appeared  impossible  for  men  to  stand,  yet  on 
ward  with  undaunted  bravery  the  enemy  pressed,  closing 
up  their  vast  gaps  and  sweeping  everything  before  them. 
The  gallant  Easton  was  killed,  his  brave  cannoniers  bay 
oneted  at  their  guns,  the  majority  of  the  horses  disabled, 
and,  despite  the  most  heroic  resistance,  the  battery  was 
taken.  A  dozen  or  fifteen  horses  cut  loose  from  the 
battery,  dashed  through  our  line  followed  closely  by  the 
enemy,  and  again  driven,  we  slowly  and  sullenly,  but  in 
good  order  retreated  down  over  the  fields,  under  a  mur 
derous  fire  that  brought  many  a  brave  man  to  the  ground. 


128  OUR   CAMPAIGNS 

Having  reached  a  position  whose  sloping  ground  afforded 
some  slight  protection,  Colonel  McCandless  rallied  the 
men  and  reformed  the  line,  collecting  a  large  number  of 
stragglers  from  different  regiment,  and  soon  after  Colonel 
Simmons  of  the  Fifth  Reserve  appeared  and  took  charge. 
A  squadron  of  Rush's  Lancets  and  a  squadron  of  Indiana 
cavalry,  now  came  up  and  formed  in  our  rear,  and  Gen 
eral  McOall  stopped  two  batteries  that  were  in  retreat 
and  bringing  them  into  battery  opened  upon  the  enemy, 
who  just  then  appeared  on  the  opposite  hillside,  and 
checked  their  advance  at  this  point. 

Soon  after  French's  and  Meagher's  brigades  came  up, 
and  the  fire  of  the  batteries  was  stopped  as  they  passed 
down  the  hill  in  front,  but  upon  their  reaching  the  foot 
of  it,  they  were  met  by  General  Porter,  who  halted  them, 
as  the  enemy  had  retired  from  view  and  the  sun  was 
setting. 

-  The  other  regiments  and  brigades  of  the  Reserve 
fought  with  great  gallantry,  the  First  and  Eighth  being 
relieved  and  brought  out  by  General  Reynolds,  and  the 
Fifth  retiring  only  when  their  ammunition  was  exhausted. 
The  Eleventh,  Colonel  Gallagher,  having  relieved  the 
Fourth  New  Jersey,  Colonel  Simpson,  while  engaged  by 
the  enemy  became  so  completely  enveloped  in  the  smoke 
of  the  battle  as  not  to  observe  the  rest  of  the  line  had 
retired,  and  being  completely  surrounded  by  a  vastly 
superior  force  of  the  enemy,  the  major  part  of  them  and 
the  Fourth  New  Jersey  were  captured,  but  no  censure 
whatever  was  attached  to  either  of  the  gallant  com 
manders  of  the  regiments. 

About  eight  o'clock,  the  battle  ceased  and  we  were 
moved  some  distance  towards  the  rear,  near  a  field  hospital 
where  the  wounded  were  being  continually  brought  in 
for  surgical  treatment,  after  which  they  were  laid  upon 
the  grass,  a  blanket  thrown  over  them,  and  a  canteen  of 
water  put  by  their  side,  where  some  slept  and  others 
died.  The*  poor  fellows  displayed  most  heroic  fortitude, 
and  though  many  of  them  were  horribly  mangled  and 


CROSSING   THE   CHICK AHOMINY.  129 

suffering  intense  pain,  only  suppressed  murmurs  escaped 
their  lips.  All  of  our  regiment  were  collected  and  laid 
together,  and  were  cared  for  by  their  comrades  until  we 
moved.  While  the  surgeons  were  at  work  by  the  flick 
ering  light  of  candles,  the  ruthless  enemy  opened  fire 
upon  them  with  shell,  but  they  continued,  hiding  the 
lights  as  best  they  could  with  their  caps  and  bodies. 

Through  the  night  General  Eeynolds  was  surprised, 
with  Captain  Charles  Kingbury,  his  Assistant  Adjutant- 
general,  and  taken  prisoner  by  the  enemy.  The  com 
mand  of  our  brigade,  therefore,  devolved  upon  Colonel 
Simmons  of  the  Fifth  Eeserve. 

The  number  of  troops  engaged  on  our  side  was  not 
more  than  thirty-five  thousand  men,  and  that  of  the 
enemy  has  been  computed  to  be  from  seventy  to  seventy- 
five  thousand  men.  The  loss  on  our  side  was  heavy,  but 
as  no  general  returns  were  made  until  after  the  Seven 
Days'  battle,  the  losses  during  the  series  of  battles  were 
estimated  together.  The  number  of  guns  captured  by 
the  enemy  on  the  field  were  nineteen,  and  three  were  lost 
by  being  run  off  the  bridge  during  the  final  withdrawal. 

Although  we  were  finally  forced  from  the  first  line 
after  the  enemy  had  been  repeatedly  driven  back,  yet 
the  object  sought  for  had  been  attained.  The  enemy 
was  held  at  ba}^  our  siege  guns  and  material  were  saved, 
and  the  right  wing  could  now  be  withdrawn  and  joined 
to  the  main  body  of  the  army.* 

The  wearied  and  exhausted  men  who  had  fought  for 
two  days,  and  many  of  them  without  a  mouthful  to  eat, 
threw  themselves  upon  the  ground  and  sank  to  sleep 
with  their  cartridge  boxes  strapped  upon  them  and  their 
muskets  in  their  hands.  But  their  slumbers  were  of 
short  duration,  as  soon  orders  came  to  wake  them  up 
and  get  into  line  without  noise.  It  was  hard  work  to 
rouse  the  sleepy  boys,  it  being  necessary  to  roll  some  of 
them  over,  shake  them,  pound  them,  and  even  to  lift 


*  See  Appendix  A. 
9 


130  OUR   CAMPAIGNS. 

them  upon  their  feet.  Having  got  the  men  in  line,  our 
division  waited  here  until  near  morning  to  cover  the 
withdrawal  of  the  army  from  the  left  bank  of  the  Chicka- 
hominy,  and  then  crossing  the  bridge  opposite  Trent's 
Hill  about  seven  o'clock  we  blew  it  up ;  moving  on  about 
a  mile  and  a  half  we  halted  on  Trent's  Hill,  where  we 
laid  during  the  28th. 


'*•••     '  CHAPTER  XIV. 

CHANGE  OP  BASE.  MARCH  TO  THE  JAMES  RIVER.  BATTLE  OF 
ALLEN'S  FARM.  BATTLE  OF  SAVAGE'S  STATION.  A  NIGHT  ON 
PICKET.  THE  BATTLE  OF  GLENDALE.  THE  RIVER  REACHED. 

W*HILE  the  battle  of  Games'  Mills  or  Chickahominy 
was  progressing  on  the  left  bank  of  the  river,  the  enemy 
were  not  idle  on  Ihe  right  bank,  they  having  a  large 
force  between  our  left  wing  and  Richmond  showing  their 
numerical  superiority.  Sharp  musketry  and  artillery 
fighting  took  place  there,  along  nearly  the  whole  of  the 
line,  which  was  threatened  by  such  heavy  masses  that 
the  corps  commanders  deemed  their  forces  were  smaller 
than  were  adequate  to  the  emergency.  Therefore,  to 
have  sent  more  reinforcements  to  Porter  would  have 
imperilled  the  movement  across  the  Peninsula.  After 
the  battle  it  was  necessary  to  unite  the  two  wings  of  the 
army  which  could  have  been  done  on  either  'bank  of  the 
river,  but  if  it  had  been  on  the  left  bank,  although  our 
united  force  could  have  defeated  the  enemy  and  have 
marched  to  the  White  House,  as  they  held  the  roads 
leading  there,  our  supply  trains  could  not  have  been 
sent  in  advance  of  the  army,  but  would  have  had  to  fol 
low  us,  and  the  guarding  of  these  trains  would  have 
seriously  embarrassed  our  operations  in  battle.  We 
would  have  been  immediately  followed  by  the  enemy  on 
the  Richmond  side  of  the  river,  who  would  have  operated 


RATIONS   SERVED.  131 

on  our  rear,  and  if  we  had  been  defeated,  we  would  have 
been  forced  to  fall  back  to  the  White  House  and  pro 
bably  to  Fort  Monroe;  and,  as  both  our  flanks  and  rear 
would  then  have  been  entirely  exposed,  our  entire  sup 
ply  train,  if  not  the  greater  part  of  the  army,  might  have 
been  lost.  The  enemy  anticipated  this  movement  on 
our  part  and  were  prepared  to  take  advantage  of  it,  but 
they  were  disappointed. 

When  our  army  was  concentrated  on  the  Richmond 
side  of  the  Chickahominy,  and  a  large  portion  of  the 
enemy  were  drawn  away  and  separated  from  them  by 
the  river,  we  could  have  marched  directly  upon  the  city 
with  very  reasonable  hopes  of  capturing  it,  but  as  the 
amount  of  rations  we  had  with  us  was  very  limited  and 
the  enemy  could  at  any  time -have  severed  our  commu 
nications  with  the  supply  depot  at  the  White  House, 
our  victory  might  have  been  turned  into  disaster.  It  is 
therefore  clear  that  the  movements  of  General  McClellan 
were  dictated  by  sound  military  judgment. 

During  the  day,  rations,  of  which  we  were  greatly  in 
need,  as  some  of  the  men  had  been  forty-eight  hours 
without  food,  were  received  and  issued,  but  as  we  had 
left  every  thing  in  our  camp  near  Mechanicsville,  which 
was  subsequently  burnt  by  order  of  General  McCall,  we 
had  no  haversacks.  However,  as  soldiers  are  never  at  a 
loss  for  ways  and  means,  they  substituted  the  extremi 
ties  of  their  shirts  which  answered  most  admirably.  The 
same  day  our  most  efficient  Quartermaster,  Dr.  Chas.  F. 
Iloyt,  was  promoted  Captain  and  Commissary  of  Subsist 
ence  of  the  brigade  vice  Captain  Jas.  B.  Clow. 

We  remained  on  an  open  field  under  a  broiling  sun 
during  the  28th, -which  really  afforded  but  indifferent 
rest,  as  we  could  not  sleep,  except  as  Montezuma  on  his 
bed  of  roses,  and  at  nine  o'clock  that  night,  during  a 
drenching  rain,  we  moved  off  towards  White  Oak  Creek. 
Our  division  took  with  it  Hunt's  Reserve  Artillery,  con 
sisting  of  thirteen  batteries,  which  with  our  own  trains 
extended  the  column  many  miles  in  length,  and  as  our 


132  OUR   CAMPAIGNS. 

flanks  were  constantly  exposed  to  attacks,  the  Third 
Brigade  was  placed  by  regiments  between  the  batteries, 
to  afford  them  support. 

Our  movement,  owing  to  narrow  and  bad  roads,  was 
necessarily  slow,  and  all  night  long  we  toiled  through 
dark  woods  and  swamps  unable  to  see  but  a  few  feet  on 
either  side  of  us.  While  thus  moving,  one  of  the  wagon 
guard  of  the  Fourth  Reserve,  stepped  into  the  woods  a 
little  way  and  his  musket  being  accidentally  discharged 
he  was  mistaken  for  a  foe,  and  a  number  of  shots  fired  at 
him.  This  frightening  some  of  the  teams,  they  dashed 
in  among  us,  which,  with  the  unexplained  firing,  for  a 
time  created  considerable  excitement. 

About  daybreak  we  reached  Savage's  Station,  on  the 
York  River  and  Richmond  Railroad,  where  we  found 
hundreds  of  wagons  and  ambulances  almost  choking  the 
roads  and  covering  the  fields  in  every  direction.  Here 
were  collected  vast  piles  of  commissary  and  quartermas 
ter's  stores,  which  were  opened  and  the  men  allowed  to 
take  whatever  they  wanted.  We  also  found  here  a 
large  number  of  wounded  of  the  preceding  battles,  and 
among  them  were  our  own,  many  of  whom  were  subse 
quently  taken  prisoners.  The  boys  went  to  see  them 
and  did  all  they  could  for  them,  improvising  crutches 
for  such  as  could  hobble  off)  and  giving  water  and  money 
to  those  who  had  to  remain.  There  was  also  a  large 
amount  of  ammunition  here  which  was  later  in  the  day 
loaded  on  twelve  cars  and  with  an  engine  run  into  the 
Chickahominy,  a  fuse  being  attached,  and  so  well  timed 
as  to  blow  the  whole  up  at  the  proper  instant.  Moving 
on  past  the  station,  we  met  a  large  number  of  prisoners 
captured  during  the  battles,  and  about  noon  we  crossed 
White  Oak  Creek  Bridge,  some  distance  beyond  which 
General  McCall  was  ordered  to  place  his  division  in  posi 
tion  to  repel  any  attack  by  the  enemy  from  the  direction 
of  Richmond.  It  was  here  we  learned  that  General 
McClellan  had  caused  to  be  read  to  the  army  a  compli 
mentary  return  of  thanks  to  the  Pennsylvania  Reserves 


BATTLE   OF   ALLEN'S   FARM.  133 

for  their  conduct  at  Mechanicsville,  in  defeating  and 
holding  a  vastly  superior  force  in  check,  until  he  could 
perfect  his  arrangements  for  the  withdrawal  from  the 
left  bank  of  the  river. 

Before  proceeding  further,  we  will  detail  the  general 
events  of  the  day.  The  essential  operation  was  the  pas 
sage  of  our  trains  across  the  swamp,  and  their  protection 
against  attack  from  the  direction  of  Eichrnond,  and  the- 
establishment  of  our  communication  with  the  gunboats 
on  James  river.  For  this  purpose  the  corps  of  Sumner 
and  Heintzelman,  and  the  division  of  Smith  were  ordered 
to  an  interior  line,  writh  their  right  resting  on  Savage's 
Station.  • 

BATTLE  OF  ALLEN'S  FARM,  JUNE  2 9TH.— General 
Sumner  evacuated  his  works  at  Fair  Oaks  at  daylight, 
and  marched  his  command  to  Orchard  Station,  halting 
at  Allen's  field,  between  Orchard  and  Savage  Stations. 
The  divisions  of  Eichardson  and  Sedgwick  were  formed 
on  the  right  of  the  railroad,  facing  towards  Eichmond, 
Eichardson  holding  the  right,  and  Sedgwick  joining  the 
right  of  Heintzelman's  corps.  The  first  line  of  Eichard- 
son's  division  was  held  by  General  French ;  General 
Caldwell  supporting  the  second.  A  log  building  in  front 
of  Eichardson's  division  was  held  by  Colonel  Brook  with 
the  Fifty-third  Pennsylvania  volunteers,  with  Hazard's 
battery  on  an  elevated  piece  of  ground,  a  little  in  the 
rear. 

At  nine  o'clock,  A.  M.,  the  enemy  commenced  a  furi 
ous  attack  on  the  right  of  General  Sedgwick,  but  were 
repulsed.  The  left  of  General  Eichardson  was  next 
attacked,  the  enemy  attempting  in  vain  to  carry  the  posi 
tion  of  Colonel  Brooks.  Captain  Hazard's  battery,  and 
Pettit's  battery,  which  afterwards  replaced  it,  were 
served  with  great  effect,  while  the  Fifty -third  Pennsylva 
nia  Volunteers  kept  up  a  steady  fire  on  the  advancing 
enemy,  compelling  them  at  last  to  retire  in  disorder. 
The  enemy  renewed  the  attack  three  times,  but  were  as 
often  repulsed. 


134  OUR   CAMPAIGNS. 

BATTLE  OF  SAVAGE'S  STATION,  JUNE  29TH. — During 
the  morning,  General  Franklin  hearing  that  the  enemy, 
after  having  repaired  the  bridges,  was  crossing  the 
Chickahominy  in  large  force,  and  advancing  towards 
Savage's  Station,  moved  Smith's  division  to  that  point, 
and  communicated  the  intelligence  to  General  Sumner. 
A  little  after  noon,  General  Sumner  reached  the  station, 
and  united  his  troops  with  those  of  Franklin,  and  as 
sumed  command.  The  troops  were  posted  in  line  of 
battle,  in  the  large  open  field  to  the  left  of  the  railroad, 
fronting  Eichmond,  the  left  resting  on  the  edge  of  the 
woods,  and  the  right  extending  down  to  the  railroad. 
General  Brooks,  with  his  brigade,  held  the  wood  to  the 
left  of  the  field,  where  he  did  excellent  service.  General 
Hancock's  brigade  was  thrown  into  the  woods  on  the 
right  and  front.  About  four  in  the  afternoon,  the  enemy 
advanced  upon  the  Williamsburgh  road  and  commenced 
the  attack  in  large  force.  They  were  gallantly  met  by 
General  Burns'  brigade,  supported  and  reinforced  by  the 
reserve,  and  the  Sixty -ninth  New  York  Volunteers  and 
Hazard's  and  Pettit's  batteries.  The  other  batteries  were 
also  brought  into  play,  and  the  battle,  which  was  fought 
with  great  obstinacy  until  nearly  nine  o'clock  at  night, 
terminated  in  the  enemy  being  driven  from  the  field. 

Our  division  remained  in  its  position  on  high  open 
ground  in  the  hot  sun  until  four  o'clock,  when  we  were 
ordered  to  proceed  to  the  Quaker  road  crossing  of  the 
New  Market  road,  and  take  a  position  to  repel  any  attack 
from  Eichmond.  The  object  of  this  movement  was  to 
cover  the  Turkey  Bridge  road,  leading  to  the  James 
river,  along  which  trains  were  moving  all  night.  On 
our  march  the  road  was  nearly  blocked  up  with  innu 
merable  wagon  trains  and  artillery,  besides  a  drove  of 
twenty-five  hundred  cattle,  through  which  we 'wound 
our  way,  and  arrived  at  the  designated  point  about  six 
o'clock.  We  halted  on  Nelson's  farm,  the  battle-field  of 
the  next  day,  and  where  a  sharp  skirmish  had  taken 
place  with  the  enemy's  cavalry  early  in  the  morning; 


THE   PICKET  BEFORE   GLENDALE.  135 

showing  that  their  efforts  were  about  to  be  directed 
towards  impeding  our  progress  to  the  river.  General 
McCall  made  his  headquarters  at  the  farm  house  during 
the  night. 

Leaving  the  Second  and  Third  Brigades  in  reserve,  at 
dark  our  brigade  and  a  battery  of  artillery,  under  the 
command  of  Colonel  Simmons,  silently  moved  off  to  the 
front,  about  a  mile,  crossing  a  small  creek  and  turning 
to  the  left  through  a  deep  woods,  where  we  were  posted 
on  picket,  on  a  by-road.  The  night  was  intensely  dark, 
and  we  were  unable  to  see  but  a  short  distance  from  us. 
The  men  were  laid  down  on  the  edge  of  the  road  with 
orders  for  no  one  to  speak  or  sleep,  but  to  be  ready  to 
spring  into  line  at  an  instant's  notice.  In  front  of  us,  at 
the  distance  of  fifty  paces,  pickets  were  posted  under 
command  of  Lieutenant  Clend;ning.  The  countersign 
was — to  bare  the  right  arm  and  raise  and  lower  it  twice. 
When  all  was  the  stillness  of  death,  a  rapid  fire  of  mus 
ketry  opened  a  few  hundred  yards  in  our  rear,  and  we 
were  unable  to  tell  whether  it  was  an  attack  of  the  foe, 
or  our  friends  firing  upon  one  another.  We  found  out 
afterwards  it  was  our  own  men. 

About  the  middle  of  the  night,  a  number  of  the  bat 
tery  horses  got  loose,  and  came  dashing  down  the  rear 
of  our  line,  like  a  charge  of  cavalry,  and  several  shots 
were  fired  into  them  in  rapid  succession.  One  of  the 
horses  being  wounded,  kept  up  a  most  unearthly  cry 
through  the  night,  making  the  most  distressing  noise 
possible  to  imagine,  and  the  farm  dogs  far  and  near  were 
continually  barking,  indicating  the  proximity  of  the  foe. 
In  fact,  and  we  strongly  suspected  it  at  the  time,  we  were 
surrounded  on  all  sides  by  the  enemy,  who  knew  our 
exact  position,  and  had  it  in  their  power  to  cut  in  pieces 
or  capture  us,  but  they  wished  to  bag  the  whole  division, 
and  were  waiting  for  the  arrival  of  one  of  their  columns 
in  the  position  assigned  to  it.  Fortunately  it  was  de 
layed  on  its  march,  for  which  the  general  commanding 
was  severely  censured  by  his  Government.  The  tedious 


136'  OUR   CAMPAIGNS. 

hours  of  watching  at  last  passed  away,  and  the  welcomed 
light  of  day  broke  in  upon  us,  and  with  it,  we  withdrew 
cur  line  and  returned  to  the  field  where  we  halted  the 
preceding  afternoon,  and  which  before  the  setting  sun 
was  drenched  with  our  blood. 

During  the  night  all  the  troops  fell  back  and  crossed 
White  Oak  swamp,  and  by  five  A.  M.  on  the  80th,  Gen 
eral  French  commanding  the  rear-guard,  crossed  the 
bridge  over  the  creek  and  destroyed  it.  General  Keyes 
having  been  ordered  to  move  to  the  James  river,  and 
occupy  a  defensive  position  near  Malvern  Hill,  to  secure 
out  extreme  left  flank,  arrived  there  in  safety  early  in 
the  morning  with  all  his  artillery  and  baggage.  Other 
troops  and  long  trains  had  also  passed  to  the  left. 

BATTLE  OF  CHAKLES  CITY  CROSS-ROADS  OR  GLENDALE, 
June  30th. — It  being  the  30th  of  June,  the  regiments 
were  formed  for  muster,  and  while  this  was  being  gone 
through  with,  the  pickets  commenced  exchanging  shots, 
and  so  close  were  they  to  us,  that  Corporal  John  Collins, 
Company  H,  received  a  bone  wound  in  his  arm,  and  we 
had  hardly  time  to  get  through  with  the  muster  before 
the  division  was  moved  a  short  distance,  and  assigned 
its  position  for  the  battle. 

General  McCall  was  ordered  to  take  up  a  position  on 
the  left  of  the  New  Market  or  Long  Bridge  road,  near 
its  crossing  with  the  Charles  City  road,  in  front  of  the 
Quaker  road  leading  to  Malvern  Hill  and  Turkey  bridge, 
and  to  maintain  it  until  the  whole  of  the  immense  supply 
traios  of  the  army,  then  slowly  advancing  from  White 
Oak  creek,  had  passed  towards  James  river,  and  to  repel 
any  attack  on  it.  For  this  purpose  General  Meade's  bri 
gade  was  posted  on  the  right,  General  Seymour's  on  the 
left,  and  Reynold's,  now  Colonel  Simmons',  held  in  reserve. 
The  artillery  was  placed  in  front  of  the  line,  Randall's 
on  the  right,  Cooper's  and  Kern's  opposite  the  centre,  and 
Dietrich  and  Kennerheirn's,  German  batteries,  acciden 
tally  with  the  division,  on  the  left  of  the  line.  The 
Fourth  Pennsylvania  Cavalry,  Colonel  Childs,  was  drawn 


THE    BATTLE   OF   GLENDALE.  137 

up  on  the  left  and  rear,  but  not  being  called  into  action, 
were  subsequently  ordered  to  fall  back. 

The  field  was  a  large  open  plain,  with  a  front  of 
about  eight  hundred  yards,  and  depth  of  one  thousand 
yards,  intersected  on  the  right  by  the  New  Market  road 
and  a  narrow  strip  of  timber,  parallel  to  it,  and  on  the 
left,  near  the  centre,  with  a  marshy  woods,  near  which 
was  Kelson's  small  farm  house.  In  ttfe  rear  of  the  plain 
was  a  steep  wooded  hill  running  to  a  broad  plateau  or 
table  land,  across  which  run  the  Quaker  road  leading 
to  the  river.  Upon  the  upper  edge  of  the  woods  laid  the 
First  Brigade  in  reserve. 

On  the  right  of  the  Eeserves  was  posted  Kearney's 
division,  and  on  the  left  and  somewhat  retired  was  Sum- 
ner,  and  further  to  the  left,  and  slightly  advanced,  was 
Hooker. 

About  half  past  two  o'clock,  P.  M.,  the  cavalry  and 
infantry  pickets  of  the  Eeserve  were  driven  in,  and  soon 
after  the  enemy  opened  a  heavy  fire  of  shell  upon  our 
centre,  under  cover  of  which  they  sent  forward  two  regi 
ments  at  different  points  to  feel  the  line.  These  were 
driven  back,  one  by  the  Third  regiment,  Colonel  Sickel, 
and  the  other  by  the  Seventh  regiment,  Colonel  Harvey. 

Our  division  being  too  small  to  occupy  the  plain,  both 
our  flanks  were  exposed,  and  soon  after  a  furious  attack 
was  made  on  the  left  by  a  heavy  column  of  infantry. 
This  advance  was  made  under  cover  of  a  terrific  artillery 
fire,  and  was  gallantly  met  and  driven  back  with  great 
slaughter,  and  over  two  hundred  prisoners  taken.  The 
"  Bucktails,"  Major  Stone,  at  this  time  were  sent  to  the 
left  and  posted  in  the  marsh  woods,  the  First,  Colonel 
Roberts,  was  sent  to  support  Kern's  battery,  the  Fifth, 
Lieutenant-colonel  Fisher,  and  the  Eighth,  Colonel  Hays, 
were  ordered  forward  to  the  support  of  the  left  centre, 
and  the  last  regiment  of  the  reserve,  the  Second,  Lieu 
tenant-colonel  McCandless,  was  ordered  to  the  left  front. 

In  anticipation  of  this  order  we  had  been  advanced 
down  the  hill  to  near  the  edge  of  the  woods,  where  the 


138  OUR  CAMPAIGNS. 

cannoniers  of  a  section  of  a  Dutch  battery  belonging  to 
Porter's  corps  and  assigned  that  day  to  the  Keserves, 
having  cut  their  traces,  came  dashing  through  our  regi 
ment,  trampling  several  men  to  the  ground  and  breaking 
the  line.  Their  guns  were  abandoned  in  the  plain  before 
us,  but  the  regiment  advanced  with  loud  cheers  and 
swept  across  the  field  under  a  murderous  fire  of  round 
shot  and  shell,  and  reaching  a  point  near  Nelson's  house, 
and  immediately  on  the  right  of  the  marsh  woods,  were 
laid  down  under  a  slight  elevation  of  the  ground.  Here 
we  were  joined  by  a  detachment  of  the  Twelfth,  under 
Adjutant  McMurtrie,  who  were  placed  on  our  left. 

The  battle  was  now  raging  with  terrific  fury,  a  perfect 
storm  of  shot  and  shell  passing  harmlessly  over  our 
heads.  As  the  gallant  Seymour  sat  unmoved  upon  his 
horse  in  our  rear,  and  saw  the  restiveness  of  the 
boys  to  advance,  he  said  to  them,  "  lay  down  Second,  lay 
down  and  go  to  sleep,  I  will  wake  you  up  when  I  want 
you."  "Come  and  take  a  nap  with  us,  General,"  replied 
the  boys.  The  foe  being  heavily  reinforced,  were 
steadily  adavncing,  and  the  regiments  that  had  driven 
them  back  with  such  gallantry  had  become  somewhat 
disordered  by  the  very  impetuosity  of  the  charge,  and 
had  not  time  fully  to  reform,  and  they  in  their  turn  were 
forced  back,  passing  to  our  right.  The  Fifth  and  Eighth 
in  the  mean  time  had  joined  us  on  the  right,  and  when 
the  foe  had  arrived  within  fifty  yards  of  us,  Seymour 
cried  out,  "  Up  and  at  them,"  and  rising  we  poured  in  a 
murderous  fire  that  caused  them  to  stagger  and  reel. 
With  loud  cheers  we  rushed  upon  them  with  the  bay 
onet,  and  one  of  tho?>3  desperate  hand-to-hand  struggles 
ensued  that  are  seldom  witnessed  in  war.  The  two 
hostile  flags  were  surging  over  the  struggling  mass  a  few 
feet  from  each  other,  and  around  them  was  poured  out 
the  best  blood  of  Pennsylvania  and  Virginia.  The 
straggle  was  a  short  but  desperate  one.  Already  had 
Major  Woodward,  Captains  Smith  and  Neide,  and  Lieu 
tenants  Fletcher  and  Nightingale,  and  many  other 


THE  BATTLE  OF  GLENDALK          139 

gallant  spirits  fallen,  and  the  ground  was  crimsoned 
with  their  blood.  In  vain  the  wounded  boys,  who  laid 
thick  and  near,  urged  on  their  comrades,  but  the  enemy 
in  crushing  masses  poured  in  around  us,  and  with  impet 
uous  fury  charged,  to  wrench  from  our  hands  the  glori 
ous  banner  that  flaunted  over  our  heads. 

Overpowered,  but  with  our  banner  and  our  honor 
unsullied,  we  were  swept  from  the  field.  General  Meade 
was  borne  off  wounded,  the  heroic  Simmons,  who  com 
manded  our  brigade,  and  Biddle,  the  Adjutant-general 
of  the  division,  were  mortally  wounded,  and  a  host  of 
brave  officers  and  men  of  the  brigade  laid  around  them. 
As  we  retreated  across  the  plain  before  us  and  up 
through  the  woods,  the  fire  of  hell  was  let  loose  upon 
us,  the  shells  and  canister  tearing  up  the  ground  in  deep 
furrows,  or  rushing,. shrieking  and  hissing  through  the 
air,  rending  the  very  vault  of  heaven. 

On  the  plateau  in  the  rear  of  the  woods,  the  "  Buck- 
tails,"  Second,  Fifth  and  Tenth  regiments  were  rallied  by 
their  respective  commanders,  and  formed  in  line  to  the 
right  of  Sumner,  and  with  the  artillery  that  was  playing 
over  their  heads  succeeded  in  checking  the  further  pro 
gress  of  the  foe,  and  advancing,  drove  them  back  and 
recovered  the  ground  lost.  Meanwhile  a  portion  of  the 
Twelfth  regiment,  with  detachments  of  the  Fifth,  Eighth 
and  Tenth,  who  were  carrying  prisoners  to  the  rear, 
retreated  to  the  left  on  a  by-road  between  Sumner  and 
Hooker,  followed  closely  by  the  enemy,  who  suddenly 
and  unexpectedly  coming  upon  these  fresh  troops,  for 
neither  had  hitherto  been  engaged,  soon  recoiled,  and 
were  driven  over  upon  our  centre. 

While  this  was  going  -on  on  the  left,  the  centre  and 
right  of  the  Keserve  were  also  hotly  engaged,  and  so 
graphically  is  the  operations  of  these  portions  of  the 
line  described  by  General  McCall,  in  his  official  report 
of  the  battle,  that  we  copy  it  verbatim. 

"  It  must  not  be  imagined  that  the  enemy  was  inactive 
along  the  centre  and  right  of  my  line  during  all  this 


140  OUR   CAMPAIGNS. 

time.  Cooper's  and  Kern's  batteries,  in  front  of  the 
centre,  were  boldly  charged  upon,  each  time  a  regiment 
dashing  up  to  within  forty  or  fifty  yards.  They  were 
then  hurled  back  by  a  storm  of  canister  and  the  delibe 
rate  fire  of  the  First  regiment,  Colonel  Koberts,  whom  I 
had  placed  immediately  in  the  rear  of  Kern's,  and  the 
Ninth  regiment,  Colonel  Jackson,  in  the  rear  of  Cooper's. 
The  contest  was  severe,  and  put  the  steadiness  of  these 
regiments  to  the  test ;  both  suffered  heavy  loss,  but  par 
ticularly  the  First  regiment,  whose  gallant  Lieutenant- 
colonel  (Mclntire)  was  severely  wounded. 

"  Some  time  after  this,  the  most  determined  charge  of 
the  day  was  made  upon  Kandall's  battery,  by  a  full 
brigade,  advancing  in  wedge-shape,  without  order,  but 
with  a  wild  recklessness  that  I  never  saw  equalled. 
Somewhat  similar  charges  had,  as  I  have  stated,  been 
previously  made  on  Cooper's  and  on  Kern's  batteries  by 
single  regiments  without  success,  the  Confederates  hav 
ing  been  driven  back  with  heavy  loss.  A  like  result 
appears  to  have  been  anticipated  by  Eandall's  company; 
and  the  Fourth  regiment  (as  was  subsequently  reported 
to  me)  was  requested  not  to  advance  between-'the  guns 
as  I  had  ordered,  as  it  interfered  with  the  cannoniers, 
but  to  let  the  battery  deal  with  them.  Its  gallant  com 
mander  did  not  doubt,  I  am  satisfied,  his  ability  to  repel 
the  attack,  and  his  guns  fairly  opened  lanes  in  the  ad 
vancing  host.  These  gaps  were,  however,  immediately 
closed,  and  the  enemy  came  on,  with  arms  trailed,  at  a 
run,  to  the  very  muzzles  of  his  guns,  where  they  pistoled 
or  bayoneted  the  cannoniers.  Two  guns  were  limbered, 
and  were  in  the  act  of  wheeling  to  the  rear  when  the 
horses  were  shot,  the  guns  were  both  overturned,  and 
presented  one  confused  heap  of  men,  horses  and  car 
riages.  Over  all  these  the  men  of  the  Eleventh  Ala 
bama  regiment  dashed  in,  a  perfect  torrent  of  men,  and 
I  am  sorry  to  say,  the  greater  part  of  the  Fourth  regi 
ment  gave  way.  The  left  company  (Captain  Conrad)  of 
that  regimet,  however,  stood  its  ground,  and  with  some 


THE  BATTLE'  OF  GLENDALE.  141 

fifty  or  eighty  men  of  other  companies  met  the  Ala- 
bamians. 

"I  had  ridden  into  the  regiment  and  endeavored  to 
check  them;  but.  as  is  seen,  with  only  partial  success. 
It  was  here,  however,  my  fortune  to  witness  between 
those  of  my  men  who  stood  their  ground  and  the  Rebels 
who  advanced,  one  of  the  fiercest  bayonet  fights  that  per 
haps  ever  occurred  on  this  continent.  Bayonets  were 
crossed  and  locked  in  the  struggle;  bayonet  wounds 
were  freely  given  and  received.  I  saw  skulls  crushed 
by  the  heavy  blow  of  the  butt  of  the  musket,  and,  in 
short,  the  desperate  thrusts  and  parries  of  a  life  and 
death  encounter,  proving  indeed  that  Greek  had  met 
Greek  when  the  Alabama  boys  fell  upon  the  sons  of 
Pennsylvania. 

"My  last  reserve  regiment  I  had  previously  sent  to 
support  Cooper,  and  I  had  not  now  a  man  to  bring  for 
ward.  My  men  were  bodily  borne  off  the  ground  by 
superior  numbers.  A  thick  wood  was  immediately  in 
the  rear,  and  the  Confederates  did  not  follow  my  men 
into  the  thicket.  It  was  at  this  moment,  on  witnessing 
the  scene  I  have  described  that  I  bitterly  felt  that  my 
division  ought  to  have  been  reinforced. 

"My  force  had  been  reduced,  by  the  battles  of  the 
26th  and  27th,  to  less  than  six  thousand,  and  on  this 
occasion  I  had  to  contend  with  the  divisions  of  Long- 
street  and  A.  P.  Hill,  estimated  among  the  strongest  and 
best  of  the.  Confederate  army,  and  numbering  that  day 
from  eighteen  to  twenty  thousand. 

"  The  centre  was  at  this  time  still  engaged  and  I  could 
not  withdraw  any  troops  from  it. 

"  The  Alabama  troops  did  not  attempt  to  enfilade  my 
line,  and  leaving  the  guns  on  the  ground,  (the  horses 
having,  during  the  fight,  been  either  killed  or  dispersed,) 
they  retired  to  the  woods  on  my  right. 

"  It  was  now  near  sunset  and  the  heat  of  battle  had 
greatly  subsided.  I  now  rode  to  the  rear  to  rally  and 
collect  the  stragglers.  At  a  short  distance  I  came  upon 


142  OUR   CAMPAIGNS. 

two  regiments  of  Kearney's  division.  I  requested  them 
to  move  forward,  but  was  informed  their  orders  were  to 
await  the  arrival  of  General  Kearney.  I  moved  on  and 
set  some  officers  at  work  to  form  the  stragglers  of  my 
own  regiments  into  line.  On  my  return  I  found  General 
Kearney.  He  put  his  regiments  in  motion  and  moved  to 
the  front  and  on  the  right  of  my  line. 

"As  he  rode  away  he  said  to  me,  'If  you  can  bring 
forward  another  line  in  a  few  minutes  we  can  stop  them.' 
By  this  time  the  sun  had  set,  and  the  desultory  firing  was 
confined  to  the  extreme  right. 

"  In  a  short  time  Lieutenant-colonel  Thompson,  Third 
regiment,  came  up  and  reported  to  me  that  he  had  col 
lected  about  five  hundred  men,  with  whom  he  was  then 
advancing.  I  rode  on  with  him  at  the  head  of  the  column 
in  a  direction  to,bring  this  force  up  on  Kearney's  left. 

"  On  arriving  near  the  ground  where  Eandall's  battery 
stood,  I  halted  Thompson's  command,  wishing  to  ascer 
tain  whether  any  of  my  men  were  still  in  front  of  me. 
I  had  left  Captatn  Conrad's  company  about  one  hundred 
yards  in  advance,  but  it  was  now  so  dark  I  could  scarcely 
distinguish  a  man  at  ten  paces.  The  battle,  in  fact,  was 
now  over;  the  firing  on  the  left  and  centre  had  ceased, 
and  there  was  only  a  desultory  firing  between  Kearney's 
men  and  the  enemy,  some  distance  to  the  right.  I  rode 
forward  to  look  for  Conrad,  and  on  the  ground  where  I 
left  him  I  rode  into  the  enemy's  picket,  the  Forty-seventh 
Virginia,  Colonel  Mayo,  resting  under  some  trees,  and 
before  I  knew  in  whose  presence  I  was,  I  was  taken 
prisoner.  Unfortunately  for  myself  I  had  no  staff  officer 
with  me,  or  I  should  have  sent  him  forward  to  examine 
the  ground,  instead  of  going  myself;  but  my  Adjutant- 
general,  the  valiant  Captain  Henry  J.  Biddle,  had  been 
mortally  wounded ;  Lieutenant  Scheetz  had  his  horse 
killed,  and  was  injured  by  the  fall ;  my  Chief  of  Ord 
nance,  the  gallant  Beatty,  had  been  severely  wounded 
at  my  sitle,  and  only  left  me  when  I  had  insisted  on  his 
doing  so;  my  excellent  Orderly,  Sergeant  Simeon  Dunn, 


THE   BATTLE    OF   GLENDALE.  143 

Fourth  Pennsylvania  Cavalry,  was  also  fatally  wounded 
at  my  side,  and  out  of  my  escort  of  a  captain  and  twenty 
men  of  the  Fourth  Cavalry,  but  one  corporal  (the  brave 
King)  and  one  private  remained  with  me ;  these  two  men 
were  made  prisoners  with  myself.  About  the  time  I 
was  taken  prisoner  the  desultory  firing  on  my  right  died 
away." 

The  Eeserves  remained  on  the  field  during  the  night, 
and  the  rear  guard  withdrew  from  it  about  three  o'clock 
the  next  morning,  rejoining  McClellan  at  Malvern  Hill, 
after  every  gun  and  wagon  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac 
had  passed  safely  to  the  river.* 

The  loss  of  the  division  in  killed,  wounded  and  pris 
oners,  in  the  three  battles  of  the  26th,  27th  and  80th  of 
June,  was  three  thousand  one  hundred  and  eighty,  out 
of  about  seven  thousand  who  went  into  the  battle  of 
Mechanicsville.  The  trophies  of  the  day  were  three 
stands  of  colors  captured  and  nearly  three  hundred  pris 
oners. 

The  command  of  the  division  now  devolved  upon 
General  Seymour,  and  of  our  brigade  upon  Colonel 
Hays,  of  the  Eighth  Reserve. 

In  regard  to  this  battle,  justice  and  truth  requires  that 
notice  be  taken  of  the  report  of  General  Hooker,  of  the 
part  taken  by  his  division  in  it,  as  published  in  "  Wilkes1 
Spirit  of  the  Times"  of  November  1st,  1862.  In  this  re 
port  that  officer  states,  "the  whole  ofMcCall's  division 
was  completely  routed,"  &c.  This  sweeping  assertion 
has  always  been  regarded  by  every  officer  and  man  of 
the  division  as  exhibiting  a  misapprehension  of  facts  that 
was  perfectly  incomprehensible,  and  evidence  has  since 
been  produced  to  show  that  it  was  not  in  accordance  with 
facts. 

Besides  the  official  report  of  General  McCall,  which  is 
a  sufficient  refutation  of  the  charge,  we  have  his  testi 
mony  before  "  the  Joint  Committee  of  the  Conduct  on  the 
"War,"  in  which  he  states: 


*  See  Appendix  A. 


144  OUR   CAMPAIGNS. 

"  I  Have  no  desire  to  treat  lightly  the  reverses  on  both 
flanks  oi  my  division  in  this  hard-fought  field ;  they 
were  the  almost  inevitable  results  of  greatly  superior 
numbers,  impelled  on  those  points  with  great  impetu 
osity;  but  the  Pennsylvania  Reserves  as  a  division, 
although  terribly  shattered,  were  never  "  routed  " ;  they 
maintained  their  ground  with  these  exceptions,  for  three 
hours  against  thrice  their  numbers,  in,  I  believe,  the 
hardest  fought  and  bloodiest  battle  in  which  they  ever 
have  been  engaged,  and  in  this  opinion  I  am  sustained 
by  most  of  those  officers,  if  not  all,  with  whom  I  have 
conversed  on  the  subject. 

Had  my  division  been  routed,  the  march  of  the  Fed 
eral  army  would  certainly  have  been  seriously  interrupted 
by  Lee  forcing  his  masses  into  the  interval.  (See  General 
Porter's  statement  herewith.)  When  I  was  surrounded 
and  taken  prisoner,  I  was  conducted  at  once  to  Lee's 
headquarters.  Here  Longstreet  told  me  they  had  seventy 
thousand  men  bearing  on  that  point,  all  of  whom  would 
arrive  before  midnight;  and  had  he  succeeded  in  forcing 
McClellan's  column  of  march,  they  would  have  been 
thrust  in  "between  the  right  and  left  wings  of  the  Federal, 
army.  Now,  under  this  very  probable  contingency  had 
I  not  held  my  position  (see  General  Porter's  report  here 
with)  the  state  of  affairs  in  the  left  wing  of  McClellan's 
army  would  have  been  critical  indeed;  but  Lee  was 
checked  (as  Longstreet  admitted )  by  my  division  (see 
Surgeon  Marsh's  report  herewith),  and  the  divisions  in 
the  rear,  together  with  the  Pennsylvania  Reserves  and 
others,  moved  on  during  the  night,  and  joined  McClellan 
at  Malvern  Hill  before  daylight.  What  share  my  divi 
sion  had  in  effecting  this  happy  result  let  the  country 
judge." 

General  Porter  writing  to  General  McCall  from  Wash 
ington,  October  20th,  1862,  says:  "Had  not  McCall  held 
his  place  on  New  Market  road,  June  20th,  that  line  of 
march  of  the  (Federal)  army  would  have  been  cut  by  the 
enemy." 


TESTIMONY.  145 

General  Meade,  to  the  same,  from  camp,  near  Warren- 
ton,  Virginia,  under  date  of  November  7th,  1862,  writes : 
*  *  *  "It  was  only  the  stubborn  resistance  offered 
by  our  division  (the  Pennsylvania  Reserves),  prolong 
ing  the  contest  till  after  dark,  and  checking  till  that  time 
the  advance  of  the  enemy,  that  enabled  the  concentra 
tion,  during  the  night,  of  the  whole  army  on  James  river, 
ivkich  saved  it" 

Colonel  Koy  Stone,  one  hundred  and  forty-ninth  regi 
ment,  Pennsylvania  volunteers,  who  commanded  the 
"Bucktails,"  at  New  Market  cross-roads,  writes: 

"Meantime  the  enemy  (recoiling  from  Surnner  and 
Hooker)  turned  to  the  left  and  was  repulsed  by  your 
centre.  About  sunset  I  was  ordered  to  the  right,  and 
went  directly  to  the  ground  occupied  by  me  when  the 
action  commenced,  and  I  can  bear  witness  that  the 
ground  held  by  the  centre  of  your  division  when  the 
battle  opened,  was  held  by  your  troops  in  the  face  of  a 
large  force  of  the  enemy  long  after  dark ;  and  so  far  as 
my  observation  extended,  the  only  regiments  that  broke 
in  the  early  part  of  the  fight  were  those  that  had  become 
disordered  by  their  own  charge  into  the  enemy's  line." 

Colonel  Hays,  Eighth  Reserves,  writes :  *  *  *  "  I 
ordered  the  line  to  advance  and  take  a  position  in  a 
field  immediately  in  front  of  where  General  Seymour 
had  been  in  the  commencement  of  the  action.  We  lay 
till  four  o'clock,  the  next  morning,  and  so  near  the 
enemy  that  we  could  hear  the  voices  of  officers  giving 
orders." 

Lieutenant-colonel  Warner,  commanding  Tenth  Re 
serves,  writes:  *  •*  *  "The  enemy  being  checked 
in  these  woods,  the  regiment  again  formed  in  line,  with 
others  of  the  Reserves  who  were  rallied  at  this  point, 
and  moved  forward  to  within  a  hundred  yards  of  the 
ground  it  held  at  the  beginning  of  the  battle.  Here  it 
remained  in  line  of  battle,  till  11  o'clock  at  night,  when, 
it  was  ordered  to  move  to  Malvern  Hill." 

10 


146  OUR  CAMPAIGNS. 

Surgeon  N.  F.  Marsh,  Fourth  Pennsylvania  cavalry, 
writes : 

"WASHINGTON,  November  25th,  1862.— General :—- 
After  the  battle  of  the  30th  of  June,  I  remained  at 
'  Willis'  Church,  with  a  large  number  of  our  wounded. 
The  next  morning  I  was  directed  by  General  Jackson 
(Stonewall)  to  report  to  General  Lee.  I  found  General 
Lee  in  company  with  General  Longstreet,  Magruder  and 
Hill,  on  the  New  Market  road.  I  addressed  General  Lee 
and  informed  him  that  I  was  a  Federal  surgeon,  and  had 
remained  to  care  for  our  wounded,  and  wished  protection 
and  supplies  for  our  men.  He  promised  supplies,  and 
directed  General  Longstreet  to  write  the  necessary  per 
mit.  At  the  time  I  approached  they  were  discussing  the 
battle  of  the  previous  day,  being  then  on  the  ground. 
General  Longstreet  asked  me  if  I  was  present.  I  re 
plied  I  was.  He  asked  what  troops  were  engaged.  I 
replied  I  only  knew  the  division  I  was  connected  with — 
McCall's — which  fought  just  where  we  then  were.  Gen 
eral  Longstreet  said,  '  Well,  McCall  is  safe  in  Richmond ; 
but  if  his  division  had  not  offered  the  stubborn  resistance 
it  did  on  this  road,  we  would  have  captured  your  whole 
army.  Never  mind,  we'll  do  it  yet.' 

"On  Thursday,  3d  July,  General  Roger  A.  Pryor  came 
into  the  Church  (hospital,)  and  we  had  a  long  conversa 
tion.  He  repeated  in  substance  what  General  Longstreet 
said,  and  spoke  in  the  highest  terms  of  the  '  pluck  dis 
played  by  McCall's  Pennsylvania  troops.' 

"  The  interest  I  felt  in  the  Reserve  Corps  made  me  care 
ful  to  remember  these  acknowledgments  of  the  rebel 
generals." 

Surgeon  James  R.  Riley,  of  the  One  hundred  and 
twenty-seventh  Penna.  Vols.  writes : 

"  Washington,  January  16,  1864. — General: — On  the 

18th  of  December,  1862,  I  was  engaged  dressing  the 

stump,  having  previously  amputated  the  leg  of  Captain 

-  (name  not  recollected,)  of  the  Twelfth  Mississippi 

regiment,  who  had  been  wounded  at  the  battle  of  Fred- 


WHITE   OAK  SWAMP.  147 

ericksburg.  when  lie  asked  me  what  corps  I  belonged  to, 
I  replied  the  Pennsylvania  Eeserves.  He  said  he  had 
been  in  seventeen  battles,  and  in  all  those  on  the  Penin 
sula  ;  that  if  the  Pennsylvania  Eeserves  had  not  fought 
so  well  at  Mechanicsville,  where  they  had  their  best 
troops,  and  again  at  New  Market  cross-roads,  the  Con 
federates  would  have  captured  McClellan's  army." 

It  is  not  necessary  to  dwell  longer  upon  this  subject, 
as  the  above  adduced  testimony  sets  at  rest  the  matter 
beyond  all  controversy. 

While  the  battle  of  Charles  City  cross-roads  was  pro 
gressing,  the  enemy  were  attempting  to  force  a  passage 
of  White  Oak  swamp  which  was  held  by  General 
Franklin.  Between  twelve  and  one  o'clock  they  opened 
a  fierce  cannonade  upon  the  divisions  of  Smith  and 
Kichardson,  and  Naglee's  brigades  at  this  bridge.  This 
artillery  fire  was  continued  by  the  enemy  through  the 
day,  and  he  crossed  some  infantry  below  our  position. 
Eichardson's  division  suffered  severely.  Captain  Ayres 
directed  the  artillery  with  great  effect.  Captain  Hazzard's 
battery,  after  losing  many  cannoniers,  and  the  Captain 
being  mortally  wounded,  was  compelled  to  retire.  It 
was  replaced  by  Pettit's  battery,  which  partially  silenced 
the  enemy's  guns. 

General  Franklin  held  his  position  until  after  dark, 
repeatedly  driving  back  the  enemy  in  their  attempts  to 
cross  the  White  Oak  swamp. 

The  rear  of  the  supply  trains  and  the  reserve  artillery 
of  the  army  reached  Malvern  Hill  about  four  o'clock 
that  afternoon.  About  this  time  the  enemy  began  to 
appear  in  General  Porter's  front,  which  was  posted  on 
the  left,  holding  the  river  road  to  Eichmond,  and  at  five 
o'clock  advanced  in  large  force  against  his  left  flank, 
posting  artillery  under  cover  of  a  skirt  of  timber,  with 
a  view  to  engage  our  force  on  Malvern  Hill,  while  with 
his  infantry  and  some  artillery  he  attacked  Colonel 
Warren's  brigade.  A  concentrated  fire  of  about  thirty 
guns  was  brought  to  bear  on  the  enemy,  which,  with  the 


148  OUR   CAMPAIGNS. 

infantry  fire  of  Colonel  Warren's  command,  compelled 
him  to  retreat,  leaving  two  guns  in  the  hands  of  Colonel 
Warren.  The  gunboats  rendered  most  efficient  aid 


during  the  attack. 


CHAPTER  XV. 

BATTLE  OP  MALVEBN  HILL.  MARCH  TO  HARRISON'S  LANDING. 
CRUELTY  TO  OUR  WOUNDED.  HUNTING  GREYBACKS.  WHITE 
GLOVES  AND  RAGGED  CLOTHES.  VISIT  OF  PRESIDENT  LINCOLN. 

BATTLE  OF  MALVEKN  HILL,  JULY  IST. — At  Malvern 
Hill  was  collected  the  whole  Army  of  the  Potomac  with 
all  its  artillery,  to  give  battle  once  more  to  the  vigilant 
foe,  who,  though  defeated  in  every  battle  of  the  seven 
days'  fight  except  one,  (Games'  Mills,)  were  victorious 
in  the  campaign.  Flushed  with  the  knowledge  of  our 
retreating,  the  sight  of  our  dead,  the  capture  of  many  of 
our  wounded,  and  the  spoils  of  the  field,  they  in  spite  of 
their  terrible  losses,  almost  looked  upon  it  as  a  triumph 
ant  march,  and  believing  they  had  driven  us  to  the 
water's  edge,  they  considered  our  capture  or  annihilation 
as  certain,  and  so  confident  were  they  of  this,  that  Jef 
ferson  Davis,  accompanied  by  the  officials  of  his  Gov 
ernment,  visited  the  army  to  receive  the  sword  of 
McClellan. 

Malvern  Hill  is  an  elevated  plateau,  about  a  mile  and 
a  half  by  three-fourths  of  a  mile  in  area,  mostly  clear  of 
timber,  and  with  several  converging  roads  crossing  it. 
In  front  were  numerous  ravines,  and  the  ground  sloped 
gradually  towards  the  north  and  east  to  a  heavy  woods, 
giving  clear  range  for  artillery  in  those  directions.  To 
wards  the  northwest  the  plateau  falls  off  more  abruptly 
into  a  ravine,  which  extends  to  James  river.  Upon  this 
hill  the  kit  and  centre  of  our  line  rested,  while  the  right 


BATTLE   OF  MALVEBN  HILL.  149 

curved  backwards  through  a  wooded  country  towards  a 
point  below  Haxall's  on  the  James  river. 

The  left  of  the  line  was  held  by  the  Fifth  Corps,  Gen 
eral  Porter,  consisting  of  the  divisions  of  Sykes  and 
Morell,  of  Warren's,  Buchanan's  and  Chapman's  brigades, 
and  Griffin's,  Martindale's  and  Butterfield's  brigades. 
The  artillery  of  the  two  divisions  was  advantageously 
posted,  and  the  'artillery  of  the  reserve  so  disposed  on 
the  high  ground  that  a  concentrated  fire  of  some  sixty 
guns  could  be  brought  to  bear  on  any  point  in  its  front 
or  left.  Colonel  Tyler  had  also  succeeded  in  getting  ten 
of  his  siege  guns  in  position  on  the  highest  point  of  the 
hill.  Couch's  division  was  placed  on  the  right  of  Porter ; 
next  came  Kearney  and  Hooker;  next  Sedgwick  and 
Richardson  ;  next  Smith  and  Slocum ;  then  the  remain 
der  of  Keyes'  corps,  extended  by  a  backward  curve 
nearly  to  the  river.  The  Pennsylvania  Reserves  were 
held  ju  reserve,  and  stationed  behind  Porter's  and 
Couch's  position.  One  brigade  of  Porter's  was  thrown 
to  the  left  on  the  low  ground  to  protect  that  flank  from 
any  movement  direct  from  the  Richmond  road.  The  line 
was  very  strong  along  the  whole  front  of  the  open  plateau, 
but  from  thence  to  the  extreme  right,  the  troops  were 
more  deployed.  This  formation  was  imperative,  as 
from  the  position  of  the  enemy  his  most  obvious  line  of 
attack  would  come  from  the  direction  of  Richmond  and 
White  Oak  swamp,  and  would  almost  necessarily  strike 
upon  the  left  wing.  Commodore  Rogers,  commanding 
the  flotilla  on  James  river,  placed  his  gunboats  so  as  to 
protect  this  flank,  and  to  command  the  approaches  from 
Richmond.  The  right  wing  was  rendered  as  secure  as 
possible  by  slashing  the  timber  and  by  barricading  the 
roads.  There  was  posted  upon  different  parts  of  the 
field,  and  in  some  places  tier  above  tier,  about  two  hun 
dred  and  fifty  pieces  of  artillery. 

About  ten  o'clock  A.  M.,  the  enemy  emerged  from  the 
woods  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  plain  and  commenced 
feeling  along  the  whole  left  wing,  with  his  artillery  and 


150  OUK   CAMPAIGNS. 

skirmishers,  which  was  promptly  responded  to  by  our 
artillery,  and  in  about  one  hour  the  firing  on  both  sides 
nearly  ceased.  An  ominous  stillness,  indicating  the 
manoeuvring  and  placing  in  position  of  troops,  now 
followed,  preparatory  to  the  terrific  struggle  that  was 
soon  to  take  place.  About  two  o'clock  a  column  of  the 
enemy  was  observed  moving  towards  our  right,  within 
the  skirt  of  woods  in  front  beyond  the  range  of  our  artil 
lery.  Although  the  column  was  long,  occupying  more 
than  two  hours  in  passing,  it  disappeared,  and  was  not 
again  heard  of.  It  probably  returned  by  the  rear,  and 
participated  in  the  attack  afterwards  made  on  the  left. 

During  this  long  silence,  our  troops  lay  quietly  upon 
the  field,  eating  their  scanty  rations,  and  enjoying  the 
rest  they  had  not  known  for  so  long.  Thus  the  day 
wore  on  with  but  little  animation  until  about  three 
o'clock,  when  a  heavy  fire  of  artillery  was  opened  on 
Kearney's  left  and  Couch's  division,  near  the  centre  of 
the  line,  followed  by  a  brisk  attack  of  infantry  on 
Couch's  front.  This  was  immediately  responded  to  by 
our  artillery,  but  Couch's  infantry  remained  lying  on  the 
ground  until  the  enemy  had  advanced  within  musketry 
range,  when  they  sprang  to  their  feet  and  poured  in 
a  deadly  volley  that  broke  and  drove  them  back  with 
considerable  slaughter.  They  were  followed  for  nearly 
half  a  mile,  where  our  line  halted  and  occupied  a  much 
stronger  position,  resting  upon  a  thick  clump  of  trees. 

This  affair  occupied  about  one  hour,  when  the  fire  ceased 
over  the  whole  field,  and  the  enemy  evinced  neither  a 
disposition  to  attack  or  withdraw.  About  six  o'clock, 
the  enemy  suddenly  opened  upon  Couch  and  Porter  with 
the  whole  strength  of  his  artillery,  and  at  once  began 
pushing  forward  his  columns  of  attack  to  carry  the  hill. 
Xow  opened  one  of  the  most  desperate  and  sanguinary 
battles  ever  fought  upon  this  continent.  Brigade  after 
brigade,  formed  under  cover  of  the  woods,  started  at  a 
run  to  cross  the  open  space  and  charge  our  batteries,  but 
the  heavy  fire  of  our  guns,  with  the  cool  and  steady  vol- 


BATTLE   OF   MALVERX   HILL.  151 

leys  of  the  infantry,  in  every  case  sent  them  reeling  back 
to  shelter,  arid  covered  the  ground  with  their  dead  and 
wounded.  But  fresh  lines  were  again  hurled  forward 
with  a  desperation  and  recklessness  seldom  witnessed 
before.  ISTo  troops  ever  acted  with  more  desperate 
courage  than  the  enemy  did  upon  that  occasion,  but  like 
the  storm-lashed  ocean,  madly  dashing  its  billows  against 
a  rock-bound  shore,  they  were  hurled  back  broken  and 
confused,  but  to  unite  and  return  again  to  the  assault. 
From  batteries  upon  batteries  were  vomited  forth  sheets 
of  flame  and  smoke,  whose  storms  of  grape  and  canister 
mowed  down  the  columns  of  advancing  valor,  leaving 
vast  'gaps,  that  were  filled  up  by  the  mad  and  infuriated 
masses.  To  add  to  the  terror  of  the  slaughter,  .the  gun 
boats  in, the  river  opened  with  their  11 -inch  guns  throw 
ing  their  elongated  shells  into  the  woods  which  were 
densely  packed  with  the  enemy,  tearing  into  splinters 
the  largest  trees,  and  destroying  whole  companies  at 
once. 

About  seven  o'clock,  as  fresh  troops  were  being  pushed 
in  by  the  enemy,  Meagher  and  Sickles  were  sent  in  with 
their  brigades  to  relieve  such  regiments  as  had  expended 
their  ammunition,  and  batteries  from  the  reserve  were 
pushed  forward  to  replace  those  whose  boxes  were 
empty.  Until  dark  the  enemy  persisted  in  his  efforts  to 
take  the  positions  so  tenaciously  defended ;  but  despite 
his  vastly  superior  numbers,  his  repeated  and  desperate 
attacks  were  repulsed  with  fearful  loss.  The  sun  went 
down,  but  the  carnage  did  not  cease,  for  though  the 
musketry  closed,  the  fiery  messengers  of  death  coursed 
their  swift-winged  path  through  the  skies,  dealing  de 
struction  among  the  enemy,  who  but  feebly  replied.  It 
was  after  nine  o'clock  before  all  firing  ceased.  Never 
was  a  repulse  more  signal,  the  confused  masses  of  the 
enemy's  infantry,  artillery,  and  cavalry,  all  struggling 
together,  choking  the  roads  and  crossing  the  fields  in 
every  direction.  So  complete  was  the  confusion,  that 
one  or  two  days  elapsed  before 'the  men  of  the  different 


152 


OUR  CAMPAIGNS. 


regiments  and  commands  could  be  collected  together  and 
put  in  shape,  and  it  has  been  ascertained  upon  competent 
authority,  that  with  twenty  thousand  fresh  troops  McClel- 
lan  could  have  marched  into  Richmond. 

As  the  army  in  its  movement  from  the  Chickahominy 
to  Harrison's  Landing  was  continually  occupied  in 
inarching  by  night  and  fighting  by  day,  its  commanders 
found  no  time  or  opportunity  for  collecting  data,  which 
could  enable  them  to  give  exact  returns  of  casualties  in 
each  engagement.  The  aggregate  of  our  entire  losses, 
from  the  26th  of  June  to  the  1st  of  July,  inclusive,  was 
ascertained,  after  arrival  at  Harrison's  Landing,  totbe  as 
follows : 

Return  of  the  killed,  wounded,  and  missing  in  the 
Army  of  the  Potomac,  from  the  26th  day  of  June  to  the 
1st  of  July,  1862,  inclusive. 


Killed. 

Wounded. 

Missing. 

Aggregate. 

First   McCall's  division  

253 

1240 

1581 

3  074* 

Second    Sumner's   

187 

1076 

848 

2  111 

Third    Heintzelmau's      ..  . 

189 

1051 

833 

2  073 

Fourth   Keyes'  

69 

507 

201 

777 

Fifth  Porter's  

6°0 

2460 

1198 

4  278 

Sixth  Franklin's     

245 

1313 

1179 

2  737 

Engineers  

2 

21 

'  23 

Cavalry  

19 

60 

97 

176 

Total  

1582 

7709 

5958 

15  249 

*  General  HcCall  In  his  official  report  states  the  loss  of  the  Reserves  to  be  3,180. 

It  will  be  observed  that  the  division  of  Pennsylvania 
Reserves  lost  more  than  any  corps,  excepting  the  Fifth, 
and  more  than  Sumner's  and  Keyes'  or  Heintzelman's 
and  Keyes'  combined. 

Although  the  result  of  the  battle  of  Malvern  Hill  was 
a  complete  victory,  it  was,  nevertheless,  necessary  to  fail 
back  to  a  position  below  City  Point,  as  the  channel  there 
was  so  near  the  southern  shore  that  it  would  not  be  pos 
sible  to  bring  up  the  transports,  should  the  enemy  occupy 


153 

it.  Besides,  the  line  of  defence  was  too  extended  to  be 
maintained  by  our  weakened  forces,  and  the  supplies  of 
food,  forage  and  ammunition,  being  exhausted  it  was 
imperatively  necessary  to  reach  the  transports  immedi 
ately. 

The  greater  portion  of  the  transportation  of  the  army 
having  been  started  for  Harrison's  Landing  during  the 
night  of  the  30ih  of  June  and  the  1st  of  July,  the  order 
for  the  movement  of  the  troops  was  at  once  issued  upon 
the  final  repulse  of  the  enemy  at  Malvern  Hill.  About 
eleven  o'clock  that  night  the  sleepy  boys  were  woke  up 
and  put  in  motion,  and  passing  by  Haxall's  house  we 
slowly  wound  our  way  down  the  hill  to  the  river  road, 
along  which  we  marched,  passing  over  Turkey  bridge. 
The  night  was  extremely  dark,  but  the  road,  which  for  a 
long  distance  was  exceedingly  bad,  was  lit  up  by  thou 
sands  of  candles  placed  in  the  trees,  and  bright  fires 
burning  upon  the  wayside  which  were  continually  re 
plenished  by  the  guard  stationed  at  them.  At  daybreak 
we  entered  a  fine  field  of  standing  wheat,  where  we  laid 
down  and  rested  for  an  hour  and  then  moved  on.  It 
soon  commenced  raining,  turning  the  deep  dust  into 
heavy  rnud,  and  in  an  incredible  short  time  the  artillery, 
wagons,  cavalry  and  infantry  rendered  the  road  almost 
impassable.  But  onward  the  column  pressed  until  it 
crossed  Herring  run  and  debouched  into  the  open  plain 
of  Harrison  Landing. 

The  Eeserves  were  here  put  into  a  heavy  pine  woods 
to  the  right  of  the  road,  and  by  building  bough  arbours 
somewhat  sheltered  themselves.  During  the  day  and 
night,  the  rain  descended  in  torrents,  rendering  the 
kindling  of  fires  almost  impossible,  but,  as  the  boys  had 
but  little  to  cook,  it  did  not  matter  much.  The  with 
drawal  which  was  conducted  by  General  Keyes  was 
most  skilfully  effected,  and  with  no  other  loss  than  the 
few  wagons  that  broke  down  upon  the  road.  The  rear 
guard,  consisting  of  the  Third  Pennsylvania  cavalry,  a 
brigade  of  iniuntry  and  one  battery,  under  the  command 


154:-  OUE   CAMPAIGNS. 

of  Colonel  Averill,  did  not  leave  the  field  until  ten  o'clock 
on  the  2nd  of  July,  and  the  last  of  the  wagons  reached 
Harrison's  Landing  on  the  3rd. 

On  the  morning  of  the  3rd  a  small  force  of  the  enemy 
having  followed  up  the  rear  guard  and  taken  an  advan 
tageous  position,  opened  with  shell,  to  which  our  guns 
responded.  The  Eeserves  were  drawn  up  about  nine 
/  o'clock  in  an  open  field  where  they  stood  in  the  mud  up 
to  their  knees  with  shells  bursting  and  round  shot  whist 
ling  over  their  heads  until  three  in  the  afternoon,  when 
they  were  marched  to  a  neighboring  field,  and  bivouacked 
on  the  banks  of  Herring  creek. 

While  this  change  of  base  from  the  Pamunky  to  the 
James  river  was  progressing,  the  White  House  was  suc 
cessfully  evacuated  with  comparatively  a  trifling  loss  of 
stores,  etc.  No  less  than  seven  hundred  vessels  were  in 
the  river  at  the  time,  all  of  which  were  successfully  re 
moved.  The  last  of  our  wagons  left  under  guard  of  General 
Stoneman's  cavalry,  not  a  man  or  contraband  being  left 
behind,  and  .the  telegraphic  communication  with  General 
McClellan  was  not  severed  till  one  o'clock,  P.  M.,  on  the 
28th,  and  at  seven  o'clock  the  enemy  made  their  appear 
ance  in  the  neighborhood  of  the  White  House,  where 
they  were  welcomed  with  shell  and  grape  from  three 
gunboats  in  the  river. 

Thus  ended  the  "  Seven  Day's  Battles,"  which  will  ever 
be  viewed  by  military  men,  as  one  of  the  greatest  feats 
of  the  war.  Never  did  such  a  change  of  base,  involving 
a  retrograde  movement,  and  under  incessant  attacks  from 
a  most  determined  and  vastly  more  numerous  foe,  par 
take  so  little  of  disorder.  The  immense  artillery  and 
wagon  train,  the  latter  if  stretched  out  in  one  line,  ex 
tending  nearly  forty  miles,  the  Commissary  and  Quarter 
master's  stores,  the  ammunition,  a  drove  of  twenty-five 
hundred  cattle ;  in  fact,  the  army  and  its  entire  material, 
horse,  foot  and  dragoon,  bag  and  baggage,  was  trans 
ferred  successfully  with  an  incredibly  small  loss  of  ma 
terial.  The  movement  was  conducted  with  perfect  order. 


LANDING.  155 

There  was  no  trepidation  or  haste,  no  smashing  up  of 
wagons  by  careless  or  fast  driving,  yet  there  was  no 
moment  for  repose,  no  opportunity  scarcely  to  properly 
care  for  the  wounded;  and  the  dead,  excepting  at  Me- 
chanicsville,  were  left  unburied.  The  enemy  closely 
watched  every  movement,  and  with  an  army  more  than 
double  that  of  our  own,  had  the  ability  to  constantly 
launch  fresh  troops  upon  our  rear,  an  advantage  which 
they  were  quick  to  discover,  and  remorseless  in  improv 
ing.  Their  perfect  knowledge  of  the  roads,  paths  and 
bridges,  the  topography  of  the  country  which  took  us 
time  to  learn,  placed  an  immense  advantage  in  their 
hands,  yet  they  were,  excepting  in  one  instance,  unable 
by  their  utmost  efforts  to  drive  us  from  any  field. 

Our  army  regarded  the  movement  as  the  carrying  out 
of  a  necessary  plan,  and  the  only  dissatisfaction  expressed 
being  at  the  leaving  behind  of  so  many  of  the  wounded. 
We  have  no  hesitation  in  asserting,  and  without  the 
least  fear  of  contradiction,  that  upon  the  arrival  of  the 
army  at  Harrison's  Landing,  the  morale  of  it  was  almost 
as  good  as  ever,  and  that  the  men  had  such  unbounded 
confidence  in  McClellan  that  they  would  fearlessly  have 
followed  him  at  any  time  if  he  had  assumed  the  aggres 
sive. 

While  an  advancing  army  loses  nothing  in  men  and 
material  by  capture,  it  is  necessarily  the  reverse  with  a 
retreating  one,  besides,  though  it  may  be  successful  in 
every  battle,  it  loses  the  advantages  of  following  up  its 
victories,  which  are  transferred  to  the  enemy.  Though 
this  naturally  has  the  tendency  of  weakening  the  morale 
of  an  army,  such  did  not  appear  to  be  the  case  with  ours, 
for  the  men  went  into  every  one  of  the  many  and  pro 
tracted  battles  in  most  excellent  spirits,  and  with  full 
confidence  of  victory. 

Throughout  the  whole  struggle  the  Union  and  Con 
federate  troops  displayed  upon  every  field  the  most 
desperate  bravery  and  indomitable  courage,  and  learned 
by  the  noble  qualities  they  discovered,  to  respect  each 


156  OUR   CAMPAIGNS. 

other.  Never  upon  the  field  did  we  see  an  act  of  cruelty 
done,  and  the  testimony  of  our  wounded,  and  the  surgeons 
who  remained  with  them,  was  to  the  universally  kind 
treatment  they  received  from  the  privates  of  the  enerny. 
It  is  to  be  regretted  that  the  same  cannot  be  said  of  their 
officers,  and  all  unite*in  attesting  to  the  bitter  animosity 
and  heartlessness  shown  by  the  non-combatants  and  civil 
ians. 

After  the  battle  of  Glendale,  Doctor  E.  Donnelly,  the 
surgeon  of  our  regiment,  among  others,  volunteered  to 
remain  behind  and  take  charge  of  our  wounded,  and 
from  him  we  subsequently  learned  many  interesting 
facts  in  regard  to  their  treatment  and  condition.  He  was 
placed  in  charge  of  a  hospital  improvised  upon  the 
battle-field  near  Nelson's  house,  where  were  collected  our 
wounded  in  the  outbuildings  and  on  the  surrounding 
lawn.  The  only  assistance  he  had  was  from  young 
Hartman,  Company  K,  and  some  Confederate  privates, 
wlio  volunteered  to  help.  These  men  carried  in  the 
wounded,  or  moved  them  into  the  shade,  brought  them 
water,  and  divided  their  scanty  rations  among  them. 
They^  spoke  and  acted  towards  them  with  the  greatest 
kindness,  but  the  sufferings  of  the  poor  boys  were  great. 
With  no  medicine  or  stimulants,  with  a  scanty  supply  of 
rags  and  water,  and  the  help  of  Hartman  and  these  men, 
the  doctor  amputated  the  limbs  and  dressed  the  wounds 
of  hundreds,  who  were  sinking  from  the  loss  of  blood, 
and  the  want  of  food.  But  no  medicine,  liquor,  food  or 
assistance  could  be  obtained  from  the  officials,  one  of 
whom  deliberately  stole  the  doctor's  case  of  instruments 
while  he  was  performing  an  operation. 

On  the  day  of  the  battle  of  Malvern  Hill  a  large  num 
ber  of  citizens  from  Richmond  visited  the  battle-field  of 
New  Market  cross-roads,  anticipating  the  pleasure  of 
seeing  our  army  surrender.  None  of  them,  however, 
showed  the  least  disposition  to  assist  our  wounded, 
though  to  satisfy  their  curiosity  they  walked  among 
them,  and  were  very  inquisitive  and  rude  in  their  inqui- 


FIENDISH   TREATMENT  OF  PRISONERS.  157 

ries,  and  some  of  them  were  shameless  enough  even  to 
steal  their  canteens  and  cups — articles  that  then  were 
worth  more  than  gold  to  the  helpless  fellows,  who  laid  for 
days  afterwards  upon  the  field,  burning  with  fever  and 
without  a  mouthful  of  water  to  quench  their  thirst.  One 
man,  and  we  are  sorry  to  say  that  he  was  a  minister  of 
the  Gospel,  so  far  forgot  the  precepts  of  his  Master,  the 
Prince  of  Mercy,  and  the  better  feelings  of  his  heart — if 
he  ever  had  any — in  his  bitter  hatred  of  Union  soldiers, 
as  to  commence  upbraiding  as  "  mercenaries"  and  "  hire 
lings,"  the  poor  wounded  sufferers,  some  of  whom  had 
lost  their  limbs,  and  others,  from  whose  wounds  maggots 
were  crawling.  When  suffering  all  the  anguish  that 
mortals  are  heir  to,  when  faint  with  the  loss  of  blood 
and  nervous  excitement,  this  paroled  prisoner  of  h — 1, 
clothed  in  the  sacred  garb  of  religion,  taunted  and  de 
nounced  these  poor  creatures  over  whom  the  guardian 
angels  of  heaven  were  weeping.  It  is,  though  with 
unfeigned  pleasure,  that  we  contrast  with  this  the  con 
duct  of  Doctor  Hill  Carter,  a  most  worthy  and  estimable 
gentleman,  whose  house  was  also,  used  as  a  hospital  for 
our  wounded.  Doctor  Carter,  though  a  secessionist,  not 
only  put  all  he  had  at  the  disposal  of  our  surgeons,  but 
he  and  his  family  assisted,  to  the  utmost  of  their  ability, 
to  alleviate  the  sufferings  of  the  wounded,  and  their 
kindness  will  ever  be  remembered  with  gratitude  by 
those  whose  sufferings  they  alleviated.  All  the  wounded 
were  subsequently  removed  to  Richmond,  though  some 
of  them  not  until  a  week  afterwards,  they  lying  upon 
the  field  during  that  time  exposed  to  the  burning1  rays 
of  the  sun  of  the  day,  and  the  cold  dews  of  the  night. 
Some  of  these,  whose  wounds  were  undressed,  died  on 
the  road,  and  one  relates  the  fiendish  expression  of  an 
ambulance  driver,  "that  corduroy  roads  were  bully  to 
haul  wounded  Yankees  over." 

Upon  their  arrival  they  were  stowed  away  in  Libby 
prison,  a  loathesome  hole,  foul  with  the  stench  of  two 
water  closets  and  the  putrefaction  of  the  bodies  in  the 


158  OUR  CAMPAIGNS. 

dead  house  underneath,  which  were  exposed  to  their 
sight  through*  a  large  open  grating  in  the  floor  of  their 
apartment.  A  little  medicine,  and  that  stolen  from  our 
surgeons,  was  doled  out  to  them.  A  pittance  of  tainted 
beef  and  hard  crackers  was  given  each  day,  without  a 
change  of  clothing,  or  blankets  to  cover  themselves  with 
at  night,  or  water  to  wash  with  in  the  morning,  they 
were  huddled  together  by  hundreds,  and  this  was  the 
treatment  they  received  from  the  Government.  But 
the  treatment  they  received  from  the  soldiers  was 
universally  kind.  "When  we  say  soldiers,  we  do  not 
mean  the  guards  around  the  prison,  who  had  never  been 
upon  the  field,  but  the  men  who  had  fought  them,  and 
had  learned  to  respect  a  brave  foe.  With  these  they 
were  all  right.  On  the  field,  when  we  drove  them  from 
positions  formerly  held  by  us,  we  found  in  many  cases 
our  wounded  had  been  supplied  with  water  and  some 
times  placed  behind  logs  or  trees  in  sheltered  positions, 
and  at  Glendale,  when  several  of  the  enemy  were  taken 
prisoners  and  were  being  sent  to  the  rear,  although  they 
were  under  a  heavy  fire,  they  picked  up  and  carried  off 
a  wounded  Union  soldier.  Many, other  acts  of  kindness 
were  frequently  displayed  upon  the  field,  that  showed 
there  was  not  felt  the  bitter  animosity  and  vindictive- 
ness  shown  by  civilians  and  politicians. 

At  Malvern  Hill,  the  morning  after  the  battle,  both 
parties  had  pickets  stationed  upon  the  field,  and  the 
enemy  were  permitted  to  remove  their  wounded,  but 
they  fired  upon  our  men  when  they  approached  for  the 
same  purpose.  This  may  have  seemed  cruel,  but  it  was 
a  military  precaution  on  their  part,  that  doubtless  was 
deemed  justifiable,  as  it  was  of  vital  importance  to  them 
to  conceal  from  us  the  extent  of  their  disaster,  the  de 
moralization  and  position  of  their  troops. 

The  position  now  occupied  by  our  army  was  a  line  of 
heights,  some  three  miles  long  and  about  two  miles  from 
the  James,  and  the  plain  extended  from  them  to  the 
river.  As  these  heights  commanded  the  whole  position, 


HAKEISON'S  LANDING.  159 

it  would  have  been  necessary  to  have  maintained  them 
to  the  last.  Both  flanks  were  well  supported  by  the  gun 
boats.  The  position  though  remarkably  strong,  and  one 
that  could  only  be  carried  by  overwhelming  numbers, 
was  by  no  means  impregnable,  especially  as  a  morass 
extended  between  the  heights  and  the  river,  from  the 
centre  to  our  right.  In  the  broad  area  or  plain  of  Har 
rison's  Landing,  Evelington  Heights,  or  West  Over,  were 
collected  an  immense  amount  of  army  stores  and  ammu 
nition,  and  vast  numbers  of  siege  guns,  mortars,  etc.; 
removed  from  the  former  line  occupied  by  the  army. 
Here  also  was  encamped  a  considerable  portion  of  the 
army,  while  the  balance  occupied  the  heights.  The 
Landing  presented  a  most  interesting  scene,  the  river 
bank,  for  a  long  distance,  being  lined  with1  canal  boats 
and  barges  from  three  to  ten  and  twelve  deep,  most  of 
which,  having  been  emptied  of  their  vast  amount  of 
stores,  served  as  wharves  for  the  large  transports  to 
unload  at.  Schooners,  brigs,  and  ships  innumerable, 
were  here  at  anchor,  through  which  steamers  of  all 
sizes  and  descriptions  were  continually  winding  their 
way,  presenting  a  scene  of  animation  and  life  seldom 
witnessed. 

Colonel  Hays,  Eighth  Eeserves,  being  the  senior 
officer  of  the  brigade,  assumed  command  of  it,  upon  the 
death  of  Colonel  Simmons,  of  the  Fifth,  but  on  account 
of  indisposition  he  turned  it  over  to  Colonel  McNeill,  of 
the  "  Bucktails."  On  the  4th,  the  Eighth  regiment  was 
transferred  to  the  Second  Brigade,  and  the  Sixth  regi 
ment  transferred  to  ours,  which  placed  Colonel  Sinclair 
in  command  of  it. 

The  anniversary  of  our  national  birthday  was  duly 
celebrated,  by  the  firing  of  salutes  and  the  display  of 
flags,  among  the  most  conspicuous  of  which  were  those 
captured  from  the  enemy  by  the  different  regiments.  On 
dress-parade  the  following  address  was  read  at  the  head 
of  each  regiment,  which  was  received  with  the  most 
enthusiastic  cheering  from  the  men : 


160  OUR  CAMPAIGNS. 

"  HEAD-QUARTERS,  ARMY  OF  THE  POTOMAC, 
CAMP  NEAR  HARRISON'S  LANDING, 
July  4th,  1862. 

" SOLDIERS  OF  THE  ARMY  OF  THE  POTOMAC: — Your 
achievements  of  the  last  ten  days  have  illustrated  the 
valor  and  endurance  of  the  American  soldier.  Attacked 
by  superior  forces,  and  without  hope  of  reinforcements, 
you  have  succeeded  in  changing  your  base  of  operations 
by  a  flank  movement,  always  regarded  as  the  most  haz 
ardous  of  military  expedients.  You  have  saved  all  your 
material,  all  your  trains,  and  all  your  guns,  except  a  few 
lost  in  battle,  taking  in  return  guns  and  colors  from  the 
enemy.  Upon  your  march,  you  have  been  assailed  day 
after  day  with  desperate  fury,  by  men  of  the  same  race 
and  nation,  skilfully  massed  and  led.  Under  every  dis 
advantage  of  number,  and  necessarily  of  position  also, 
you  have  in  every  conflict  beaten  back  your  foes  with 
enormous  slaughter.  Your  conduct  ranks  you  among 
the  celebrated  armies  of  history.  No  one  will  now 
question  that  each  of  you  may  always  with  pride  say  : 
'I  belong  to  the  Army  of  the  Potomac.'  You  have 
reached  the  new  base,  complete  in  organization  and  un 
impaired  in  spirit.  The  enemy  may  at  any  moment 
attack  you.  We  are  prepared  to  meet  them.  I  have 
personally  established  your  lines.  Let  them  come,  and 
we  will  convert  their  repulse  into  a  final  defeat.  Your 
Government  is  strengthening  you  with  the  resources  of 
a  great  people.  On  this  our  Nation's  birthday,  we  de 
clare  to  our  foes,  who  are  rebels  against  the  best  interests 
of  mankind,  that  this  army  shall  enter  the  capital  of  the 
so-called  Confederacy;  that  our  national  Constitution 
shall  prevail,  and  that  the  Union,  which  can  alone  insure 
internal  peace  and  external  security  to  each  State, 
'  must  and  shall  be  preserved,'  cost  what  it  may  in  time, 
treasure,  and  blood. 

"GEOKGE  B.  McCLELLAN." 

As  soon  as  circumstances  permitted  after  our  arrival, 
means  were  taken  to  reorganize,  equip  and  put  the  army 


GREYBACK   MOVEMENTS.  161 

into  fighting  order  again.  The  stragglers  soon  found 
their  regiments.  Upon  inspecting  the  arms,  it  was  found 
that  in  the  various  regiments  were  collected  every  cali 
bre  and  pattern  known  in  the  service,  the  Harper's 
Ferry,  Springfield,  Sharpe's,  Maynard's,  Burn  side,  En- 
field,  Tower,  Belgium,  Richmond,  Palmetto,  etc.;  all 
mixed  promiscuously  together  among  the  men,  who 
having  lost  their  own,  appropriated  their  neighbors1. 
These  when  not  of  the  calibre  of  the  regiment,  were 
turned  in,  assorted  and  re-issued,  so  that  each  regiment, 
brigade  and  division,  if  possible,  would  be  armed  alike. 
Accoutrements,  ammunition  and  clothing  were  likewise 
distributed,  as  fast  as  received,  and  in  an  incredibly  short 
time  the  whole  army  was  in  as  good  condition  as  ever  it 
was  to  meet  the  foe,  and  their  morale  increased  by  the 
consciousness  of  what  they  had  achieved.  To  General 
Seymour  was  accorded  the  honor  of  being  the  first  to 
get  his  division  into  proper  trim. 

While  these  matters  were  occupying  the  serious  atten 
tion  of  the  general  officers  of  the  army,  the  great  ques 
tion  that  agitated  the  public  mind,  was  the  getting  rid  of 
the  "greybacks,"  whom,  there  was  every  reason  to 
suppose,  had  domiciled  themselves  upon  the  persons  of 
the  patriots  and  held  them  in  a  ticklish  position.  As 
we  had  destroyed  all  our  clothing  except  what  we  stood 
in,  and  as  soap  was  an  article  that  could  neither  be  pro 
cured  "for  love  or  money,"  and  as  clothing  was  issued 
by  piece  meal,  it  was  a  task  easier  undertaken  than 
accomplished.  But  by  dint  of  washing,  scrubbing, 
scouring  and  constant  vigilance,  the  feat  was  accom 
plished,  and  the  boys  came  out  in  their  new  uniforms  as 
clean  and  bright  as  new  dollars.  It  is  a  matter  of  impos 
sibility  for  an  army  to  pass  through  what  we  did  in  the 
summer  without  being  overrun  with  vermin,  and  among 
soldiers  one  is  not  blamed  for  having  them  on,  but  for 
keeping  them.  So  universal  were  they  at  that  time,  that 
no  one  thought  of  being  ashamed  of  them,  and  we  have 
even  heard  the  bovs  declare  that  they  knew  all  the  bugle 

11 


162  01TF.   CAMPAIGNS. 

calls,  and  had  become  so  expert  in  drill  as  to  go  through 
the  battalion  movements  quite  accurately,  and  to  have 
their  regular  guard  mountings  and  dress  parades.  It* 
any  of  our  delicate  readers  should  feel  shocked  at  this 
exposure  of  our  'private  affairs,  we  must  remind  them 
that  part  of  our  task  is  to  show  up  soldier  life  in  its  true 
light. 

A  rather  amusing  incident  occurred  about  this  time, 
that  was  in  strange  contrast  with  the  foregoing.  Some 
months  previous  white  gloves  had  been  ordered  for  the 
men,  out  of  the  regimental  fund,  and  when  the  boys 
were  in  the  greatest  need  of  underclothing,  and  even 
shoes  and  blouses,  they  arrived,  and  just  in  time  to  be 
distributed  prior  to  the  regiment  going  out  on  a  general 
review  of  the  division.  The  remarks  of  our  friends  of 
the  other  regiments  in  regard  to  the  strange  contrast  in 
our  clothing  was  quite  amusing. 

On  the  8th,  His  Excellency  Abraham  Lincoln,  arrived 
from  Washington  on  a  visit  to  the  army,  and  in  the  after 
noon  he  rode  along  the  lines  of  the  different  divisions 
who  were  drawn  up  to  receive  him.  He  was  most  enthu 
siastically  received  by  the  troops,  who  honored  and 
respected  the  chief  who  had  sworn  to  preserve  and  per 
petuate  the  nation;  at  any  cost  or  sacrifice. 

On  the  10th,  Captain  William  D.  Eeitzel's  new  com 
pany,  raised  in  Lancaster  county  and  Philadelphia, 
arrived  in  camp  and  was  assigned  letter  "G-."  They 
were  a  fine  set  of  young  men  and 'numbered  sixty -eight 
rank  and  file.  The  Lieutenants  were,  First  John  L. 
Ehoads,  and  Second,  Max  Wimpfheimer.  This  made 
our  ninth  company,  though  one  was  detached  from  us. 
On  the  same  day  the  promotion  of  "Lieutenant-colonel 
William  McCandless  to  a  full  colonelcy,  to  date  from. 
November  1st,  1861,  was  received.  This  was  in  acknowl 
edgment  of  his  gallantry  during  the  late  battles,  more 
particularly  at  Mechanicsville,  where  he  was  honorably 
mentioned  in  the  official  report  of  General  McCall. 

On  the  morning  of  the  14th,  we   moved   our   camp 


PAROLED   PRISONERS.  163 

about  two  miles  down  the  creek  to  Evlington  Heights  on 
the  right  of  our  line.  Here  we  occupied  a  broad  open 
plain  near  the  creek  where  the  men  could  enjoy  most 
excellent  bathing.  As  good  water  was  scarce,  every 
regiment  dug  a  fine  deep  well,  from  which  they  obtained 
a  bountiful  supply  of  good  water.  Sibley  tents  were 
issued,  and  our  rations  brought  up  to  the  full  standard, 
with  cabbage,  beets,  onions  and  other  vegetables  in 
addition.  Division  guard  mountings,  company  and  bat 
talion  drills,  and  dress  parades  were  ordered.  Several 
reviews  by  Generals  McClellan  and  Sej^mour  took  place. 
The  sutlers  also  arrived,  and  letters  and  newspapers  were 
received  daily. 

While  here  the  United  States  truce  steamer  Louisiana 
came  down  the  river  with  a  load  of  paroled  Union  pris 
oners  from  Kichmond,  among  whom  were  Major  Wood 
ward,  Captains  J.  Orr  Finnie,  P.  I.  Smith,  and  Horace 
Neide,  and  Lieutenant  Hugh  P.  Kennedy,  of  our  regi 
ment,  all  wounded.  Also  a  large  number  of  our  boys, 
most  of  whom  were  sent  north  to  the  hospitals.  Doctor 
Donnelly,  our  efficient  surgeon,  who  had  remained  with 
the  wounded,  also  came  and  was  welcomed.  All  bore 
testimony  to  the  kindness  of  the  privates  and  cruelty  of 
the  officials  of  the  Confederate  Government.  Towards 
the  latter  part  of  the  month  orders  were  issued  to  hold 
ourselves  in  readiness  to  march  at  a  moment's  notice, 
with  arms,  accoutrements  and  blankets  only.  The 
balloons  made  daily  reconnoissances.  This  was  proba 
bly  occasioned  by  Generals  Hill  and  Loiigstreet  crossing 
the  Chickahominy  at  Long  Bridge  on  a  reconnoissance 
in  force. 


164  OUR   CAMPAIGNS. 


CHAPTER  XVI. 

MIDNIGHT  SHELLING.  A  SPY.  PROMOTIONS.  RETURN  OF  GEN 
ERALS  McCALL  AND  REYNOLDS.  WITHDRAWAL  FROM  THE 
PENINSULA.  VOYAGE  ON  THE  JAMES  AND  POTOMAC.  GENERAL 
POPE'S  MOVEMENTS.  HUNTING  OUR  DIVISION.  RUNNING  THE 
GAUNTLET. 

A  LITTLE  after  midnight,  on  the  1st  of  August,  the 
enemy  brought  some  light  batteries  to  Coggin's  Point 
and  the  Coles  House,  on  the  right  bank  of  the  James 
river,  directly  opposite  Harrison's  Landing,  and  opened 
a  heavy  fire  upon  our  shipping  and  encampments.  The 
shot  and  shell  flew  around  our  camp  in  the  most  lively 
manner,  which  occasioned  a  grand  stampede  among  the 
"  darks,"  who  took  to  the  swamps  and  hid  themselves. 
The  majority  of  the  boys  taking  a  philosophical  view  of 
the  matter  considered  themselves  about  as  safe  in  one 
place  as  another,  and  did  not  disturb  themselves  from 
their  blankets,  while  others  of  a  more  excitable  nature, 
after  admiring  the  pyrotechnical  display  for  a  time,  lit 
their  candles  and  went  to  playing  cards.  In  about  thirty 
minutes  our  guns  silenced  their  fire,  and  the  next  morn 
ing,  three  of  their  dead,  a  disabled  caisson  and  flag  were 
found.  Our  loss  was  ten  killed  and  fifteen  wounded. 
No  harm  of  the  slightest  consequence  was  done  to  the 
shipping,  although  several  of  the  vessels  were  struck. 
One  of  the  dead  had  no  wound  or  mark  upon  him  what 
ever,  which  was  probably  occasioned  by  a  ball  rolling 
over  his  chest  and  pressing  the  breath  out  of  him.  The 
popular  opinion  that  a  cannon  ball  passing  near  one's 
mouth  may  take  away  the  breath  and  produce  death  is- 
erroneous. 

The  next  morning,  the  Coles  House,  which  had  been 
a  rendezvous  for  the  enemy,  was  destroyed,  and  four 
hundred  men  of  our  brigade  were  sent  over  the  river 
under  command  of  Colonel  McNeill,  of  the  "  Bucktails," 


GENERAL    M7CLELLAN's    SPY.  165 

to  fell  the  timber,  and  a  picket  guard  of  four  hundred 
of  the  First  Michigan  were  thrown  out  to  protect  them. 
They  returned  at  night  with  an  abundance  of  fruit, 
vegetables  and  berries.  These  details  were  continued 
daily,  entrenchments  were  thrown  up  by  contrabands, 
and  some  heavy  guns  put  in  position,  giving  us  a  safe 
debouche  and  securing  us  from  further  midnight  can 
nonading. 

One  day  our  detail  brought  in  a  man  who  attempted 
to  run  through  our  pickets.  He  was  an  intelligent  young 
Virginian,  who  crossed  the  river  with  them  in  the  morn 
ing,  representing  himself  as  being  connected  with  the 
commissary  department,  and  appearing  perfectly  at  home 

th  the  men.  When  taken  he  was  on  horseback,  and 
tried  hard  to  escape.  He  showed  considerable  bitterness 
against  the  "  Yankees,"  appeared  indifferent  as  to  what 
they  might  do  with  him,  and  although  annoyed  at  his 
capture,  an  expression  of  concealed  fun  was,  in  unguarded 
moments,  caught  lurking  in  his  bright  eyes.  He  was 
turned  over  to  the  provost-marshal.  The  next  day  he 
crossed  again  with  a  squad  of  cavalry,  from  whom  he 
managed  to  slip,  and  despite  their  efforts  could  not  be 
recaptured.  "We  afterwards  learned  that  he  was  a  spy 
in  the  employment  of  General  McClellan. 

On  the  3d,  Colonel  Averill,  with  three  hundred  men 
of  the  Third  Pennsylvania  and  Fifth  regular  cavalry, 
marched  to  Sycamore  Church,  some  five  miles  from 
Coles  House,  where  they  found  and  attacked  a  cavalry 
force  of  the  enemy  five  hundred  and  fifty  strong,  whom 
they  routed,  and  burned  their  entire  camp  and  commis 
sary  and  quartermaster's  stores. 

On^the  4th  the  following  promotions  were  read  out  on 
dress  parade :  Major  G.  A.  Woodward  to  be  lieutenant- 
colonel,  vice  McCandless,  promoted ;  Captain  Horace  Neide, 
Company  A,  to  be  major,  vice  Woodward,  promoted ; 
First  Lieutenant  Daniel  H.  Connor,  Company  A,  to  be 
captain,  vice  Neide,  promoted ;  Second  Lieutenant  John 
J.  Boss,  Company  A  to  be  first  lieuteuant,  vice  Connor 


166  OUR  CAMPAIGNS. 

promoted ;  First  Lieutenant  John  M.  Clark,  Company  F 
to  be  captain,  vice  John  E.  Barnacle,  resigned.  The 
same  day  Dr.  A.  G.  Coleman,  of  Schuylkill  county,  Penn 
sylvania,  reported  for  duty  as  assistant-surgeon ;  each 
regiment  being  now  allowed  two  assistant-surgeons. 
About  this  time  Captain  P.  McDonough  and  Lieutenant 
John  Curley,  Sergeants  John  Cullin,  Company  B ;  An 
drew  Casey,  Company  C  ;  Edward  Cherry,  Company  D ; 
George  H.  Morrow,  Company  E  ;  H.  C.  Hostetter,  Com 
pany  G ;  William  McGlenn,  Company  H ;  Peter  Gillis, 
Company  K,  and  private  William  Aiken,  Company  A, 
were  detailed  to  proceed  to  Philadelphia  on  recruiting 
service.  About  this  time  James  Harbison,  Company  D, 
died,  and  was  buried  in  the  Fifth  Corps'  ground,  in  a 
pretty  woods  near  the  banks  of  Herring  Landing.  His 
death  was  hastened  by  the  recent  loss  of  almost  all  his 
relatives.  While  here  we  were  paid  off  by  Major  Pome- 
roy  up  to  the  1st  of  July. 

Deserters  having  reported  the  enemy  were  moving 
south  of  James  river,  and  that  the  force  in  Eichmond 
was  small,  General  Hooker  with  his  division,  and  Pleas- 
anton's  cavalry  was  sent  to  feel  in  that  direction,  on  the 
2d,  and  having  been  joined  by  General  Sedgwick's  divi 
sion,  he  succeeded  in  turning  Malvern  Hill  on  the  morn 
ing  of  the  5th,  and  driving  the  enemy  back  toward  Eich 
mond.  The  enemy's  force  consisted  of  a  very  considerable 
body  of  infantry  and  artillery,  and  over  one  hundred 
prisoners  were  captured  and  a  number  killed  and 
wounded,  with  a  loss  on  our  side  of  three  killed  and 
eleven  wounded.  Colonel  Averill  pushed  a  reconnois- 
sance  in  the  direction  of  Savage  Station  and  near  White 
Oak  Bridge  he  encountered  the  Eighteenth  Virginia 
cavalry,  whom  he  drove,  capturing  twenty-eight  men 
and  horses,  and  killing  and  wounding  several.  Hooker 
encamped  that,  night  on  Malvern  Hill,  and  on  the  morn 
ing  of  the  7th  returned  to  camp.  While  this  move 
ment  was  being  made  orders  were  issued  to  hold  our 
division  in  readiness  to  move  with  two  days'  cooked 


GENERALS   M'CALL    AND   -REYNOLDS.  167 

rations.  General  McClellan  at  one  time  intended  to  have 
supported  him  with  the  whole  army,  but  the  receipt  of 
advices  from  Washington  induced  him  not  to  do  so. 

On  the  10th  all  the  regimental  bands  were  mustered 
out  of  service,  brigade  bands  only  being  provided  for 
by  the  late  act  of  Congress.  The  same  day,  orders  were 
received  to  pack  our  knapsacks,  and  label  each  with  the 
owner's  name,  and  send  them  down  to  the  landing  to  be 
shipped  in  charge  of  the  quartermaster-sergeant.  Orders 
were  also  received  to  have  three  days'  cooked  rations  in 
haversacks  and  five  in  bulk.  At  dark  Wfc  were  got  into 
line  and  marched  to  the  upper  landing  and  then  to  the 
lower  one,  and  after  waiting  there  until  eleven  o'clock, 
we  returned  to  our  camp. 

On  the  13th,  Generals  McCall  and  Reynolds  arrived 
from  Richmond,  and  the  Reserves  paraded  to  receive 
them.  The  reception  was  most  enthusiastic,  the  boys 
cheering  and  throwing  their  hats  in  the  air.  General 
McCall  having  not  yet  recovered  from  the  effect  of  his 
sickness  and  imprisonment,  did  not  assume  command 
but  went  north.  This  separation  was  final  between  the 
general  and  the  division,  every  officer  and  man  of  which 
respected,  honored  and  loved  him.  It  was  he  who  or 
ganized,  disciplined,  and  brought  to  that  high  state  of 
efficiency  the  division,  which  rendered  them  so  efficient 
in  the  field  and  won  for  them  a  proud  and  glorious 
name. 

General  Reynolds  succeeded  to  the  command  of  the 
division.  The  same  night  the  sergeants  of  the  old  First 
Brigade  met  and  resolved  to  raise  a  subscription  among 
the  men  to  present  to  General  Reynolds  a  magnificent 
sword,  belt  and  sash.  The  same  day  General  Meacle 
arrived  from  Philadelphia  and  took  command  of  his 
brigade,  which  was  now  the  First,  and  General  Seymour 
assumed  the  command  of  our  brigade  which  was  now 
the  Second. 

On  the  30th  of  July  Major-general  Halleck,  command 
ing  United  States  Army,  issued  orders  for  the  shipment 


168  OUR   CAMPAIGNS. 

of  all  the  sick  from  Harrison's  Landing  to  the  north, 
which  at  that  time  amounted  to  about  twelve  thousand 
five  hundred,  which  was  immediately  commenced. 

It  having  been  determined  to  withdraw  the  Army  of 
the  Potomac  from  the  Peninsula  to'  Aquia  creek,  orders 
for  the  same  were  issued  on  the  3d  of  August.  The 
reasons  that  led  to  this  determination  were,  that  at  that 
time  General  McClellan's  army  numbered  but  ninety 
thousand  effective  men,  and  the  army  of  General  Pope, 
charged  with  the  covering  of  Washington,  numbered 
but  thirty-eight  thousand.  The  former  was  twenty-five 
miles  from  Eichmond  and  the  latter  about  eighty  or 
ninety  miles  from  Washington,  while  between  them  were 
the  enemy,  numbering  over  two  hundred  thousand  men. 
This  would  enable  the  enemy  to  fall  with  his  superior 
numbers  upon  one  or  the  other  as  he  might  elect,  with 
out  either  being  able  to  reinforce  the  other  in  case  of 
attack.  It  was  in  the  enemy's  power  at  any  time  to 
exchange  Eichmond  for  Washington,  and  while  the  loss 
of  their  capital  would  be  but  trifling  to  them,  the  loss 
of  Washington  to  us  would  be  conclusive,  or  nearly  so, 
in  its  results  upon  the  war.  General  McClellan  most 
earnestly  protested  against  the  withdrawal  of  his  army, 
he  contending  that  the  true  defence  of  Washington  was 
on  the  banks, of  the  James  river;  that  the  heart  of  the 
rebellion  laid  directly  in  front  of  his  army,  and  that  a 
decided  victory  there  would  crush  the  military  strength 
of  the  rebellion.  He  asked  for  reinforcements  to  the 
extent  of  thirty-five  thousand  men,  and  as  the  Govern 
ment  had  no  disposable  troops  to  send  him,  he  pointed 
to  Burnside  and  Pope's  forces  from  which  they  could 
be  drawn.  Without  attempting  to  criticize  the  military 
opinions  of  either  General  McClellan  or  Halleck,  we 
think  that  subsequent  events  showed  the  absolute  neces 
sity  of  withdrawing  the  army  from  the  Peninsula. 

It  having  been  ascertained  that  "  Stonewall"  Jackson 
was  moving  north,  General  McClellan,  in  compliance 
with  orders  from  Washington;  embarked  five  batteries 


DOWN   THE   PENINSULA.  169 

for  Aquia  creek,  where  General  Burnside  bad  landed 
with  infantry  only. 

On  the  13th,  the  enemy  anticipating  an  advance  on 
Richmond,  burnt  the  wharves  at  City  Point. 

On  the  14th,*  General  Heintzelman's  corps  marched 
for  Yorktown  via  Jones'  bridge,  and  General  Porter's  via 
Barrett's  Ferry,  near  the  mouth  of  the  Chickahominy, 
where  a  pontoon -bridge,  about  two  thousand  feet  long, 
had  been  laid.  On  the  morning  of  the  16th,  when  the 
last  man  and  last  wagon  had  left,  General  McClellan  bid 
farewell  to  the  scenes  of  his  glory  and  disappointment, 
and  followed  in  the  track  of  the  grand  Army  of  the  Po 
tomac  clown  the  Peninsula.  On  the  morning  of  the  18th 
the  rear  guard  crossed  the  river;  and  on  the  20th  the 
greater  portion  of  the  army  was  ready  to  embark  at 
Yorktown,  Fortress  Monroe  and  Newport  News.  Thus 
terminated  the  ever  memorable  campaign  of  the  Penin 
sula,  in  which  ten  severely  contested  and  sanguinary 
battles  had  been  fought,  besides  numerous  smaller  en 
gagements,  in  all  of  which  the  troops  exhibited  the  most 
determined  enthusiasm  and  bravery.  They  submitted  to 
exposure,  sickness,  and  even  death,  without  a  murmur, 
and  never  was  a  Government  more  cheerfully  or  de 
votedly  served  than  our  own  was  by  the  Army  of  the 
Potomac. 

But  to  return  to  the  movements  of  our  regiment.  At 
dark  on  the  14th  we  formed  and  marched  to  the  ord 
nance  wharf  and  bivouacked  for  the  night  on  the  banks 
of  the  river,  where  we  laid  until  sunset  the  next  after 
noon,  when  we  embarked  aboard  a  steamer  and  schooner 
and  bidding  farewell  to  the  scenes  of  our  glory  and  sad 
ness,  we  steamed  down  the  river.  During  the  night  the 
steamer  run  aground,  and  the  next  morning  at  high  tide 
the  little  Schuylkill  steamer  "Reindeer,"  came  along  side 
and  lightened  her  by  taking  the  men  on  board  until  a 
tug  could  haul  her  off. 

*  General  Lee  was  at  Gordoasville  at  this  time. 


170  OUR   CAMPAIGNS. 

On  the  voyage  down  we  passed  many  gunboats  and 
transports,  and  at  eight  o'clock  at  night  we  came  to  an 
chor  about  ten  miles  above  Newport  News.  Early  in 
the  night  one  of  the  staff  horses  got  loose  and  running 
aft  among  the  sleeping  men  created  great  excitement, 
during  which  Samuel  McGarvey,  of  company  E,  fell 
overboard  and  was  drowned.  Hamilton,  of  the  same 
company,  who  also  got  overboard,  was  rescued  with  con 
siderable  difficulty.  The  next  day  we  weighed  anchor, 
and  got  under  way  at  eleven  in  the  morning,  passing  the 
sunken  frigates  Congress  and  Cumberland,  and  running 
down  to  Hampton  Roads,  where  we  came  to  anchor. 

While  here  Captain  Eeitzel,  of  company  G,  which  had 
been  detailed  as  wagon-guard,  came  aboard  for  the  mail, 
and  reported  having  a  pleasant  and  quiet  march  down 
the  Peninsula.  Bread,  cakes,  watermelons,  oranges, 
cocoanuts,  etc.,  were  brought  aboard  for  sale.  The  boys 
also  enjoyed  good  fishing  and  luxurious  bathing.  We 
were  detained  here  by  head  winds  until  early  on  the 
morning  of  the  20th,  when  we  got  under  way,  passing 
through  a  forest  of  masts  and  entering  the  Chesapeake 
bay,  when,  heading  northward,  we  continued  on,  enter 
ing  the  Potomac,  and  passing  up  to  Aquia  creek,  where 
we  came  to  anchor  about  four  o'clock  on  the  afternoon 
of  the  21st,  after  a  passage  of  six  days,  the  distance  being 
two  hundred  and  fifteen  miles.  The  vessels  were  hauled 
into  the  landing,  and  about  eleven  o'clock  at  night  we 
embarked  aboard  the  cars,  and  proceeded  to  near  Fal- 
mouth,  where  we  slept  under  a  commissary  shed  on  piles 
of  oats  and  corn,  protected  from  the  rain  which  was  then 
falling. 

For  an  intelligent  understanding  of  subsequent  events 
it  is  necessary  to  take  a  summary  review  of  General 
Pope's  movements.  On  the  26th  of  June,  the  day  of  the 
battle  of  Mechanicsville,  General  Pope  was  assigned  to 
the  command  of  the  Army  of  Virginia,  consisting  of 
Major-Generals  McDowell's,  Banks'  and  Fremont's  army 
corps,  numbering  thirty-eight  thousand  men.  The  duties 


ADVANCE  OF  GENERAL  BANKS.         171 

assigned  to  him  was  the  covering  of  "Washington,  the 
safety  of  the  valley  of  the  Shenandoah,  and  the  operating 
upon  the  enemy's  lines  in  the  direction  of  Gordonsville 
and  Charlottesville  to  draw  off)  if  possible,  a  portion  of 
the  enemy  from  Eichmond.  As  early  as  the  16th  of 
July,  Jackson's  advance  force  under  Ewell  reached  Gor 
donsville,  and  on  the  7th  of  August  all  the  infantry  and 
artillery  forces  of  Pope's  army,  amounting  to  twenty- 
eight  thousand  and  five  hundred  men,  were  assembled 
along  the  turnpike  from  Sperryville  to  Culpeper,  except 
ing  King's  division,  which  was  opposite  Fredericksburg. 
The  cavalry  pickets  extending  on  the  right  from  the 
Blue  Ridge  on  the  Eapidan,  down  the  same  until  they 
joined  King's,  at  its  junction  with  the  Eappahannock. 

On  the  9th,  General  Banks  was  ordered  to  move  for 
ward  to  Cedar  or  Slaughter  Mountains,  and  to  take  up  a, 
strong  position  occupied  by  Crawford's  brigade,  and 
hold  the  enemy  in  check.  General  Banks,  however,  left 
his  strong  position  late  in  the  day,  and  advanced  at  least 
a  mile,  throwing  his  whole  corps  into  action  against  a 
superior  force  of  the  enemy  strongly  posted  and  shel 
tered  by  woods  and  ridges.  This  advance  -led  him  over 
open  ground,  which  was  everywhere  swept  by  the  fire  of 
the  enemy  concealed  in  the  woods  and  ravines  beyond. 
The  battle  lasted  about  an  hour  and  a  half,  during  which 
time  our  forces  were  driven  back  to  their  former  position 
with  heavy  loss.  At  this  point  Eickett's  division  came 
up  and  joined  in  the  engagement,  and  General  Pope,  at 
the  same  time"  arriving,  drew  in  General  Bank's  too 
much  extended  line,  and  the  enemy  were  driven  back. 
An  artillery  fight  was  *  kept  up  until  midnight.  Both 
sides  suffered  severely  during  the  action,  and  the  esti 
mate  loss  of  our  army  was  one  thousand  eight  hundred 
in  killed,  wounded  and  prisoners. 

General  Pope,  in  his  ofncial  report,  states  :  •'  The  con 
solidated  report  of  General  Bank's  corps,  received  some 
days  previously  (to  the  battle),  exhibited  an  effective 
force  of  something  over  fourteen  thousand  men.  It  ap- 


172  OUR  CAMPAIGNS. 

peared  subsequently,  however,  that  General  Bank's  force 
at  that  time  did  not  exceed  eight  thousand  men ! " 
Under  such  a  display  of  military  genius,  as  shown  upon 
this  occasion,  we  would  prefer  not  to  serve  under  Gene 
ral  Banks. 

Before  daylight  the  next  morning  Jackson  withdrew 
his.  forces  two  miles  and  during  the  night  of  the  llth, 
he  fell  back  across  the  Eapidan,  in  the  direction  of  Gor- 
donsville  leaving  many  of  his  dead  and  wounded  on  the 
field.  General  Pope  being  subsequently  reinforced  by 
General  King's  and  Eeno's  division  advanced  again  to 
the  Eapidan.  Having  captured  a  letter  from  General 
Lee  to  General  Stuart,  dated  Gordonsville,  August  15th, 
General  Pope  was  apprised  of  the  position  of  the  enemy 
and  their  intention  to  overwhelm  him,  before  the  arrival 
of  reinforcements  from  the  Army  of  the  Potomac.  He 
therefore  on  the  18th,  retired  behind  the  Eappahannock 
and  occupied  that  line  from  three  miles  above  Eappa 
hannock  station  to  Kelly's  ford.  On  the  20th;  the  enemy 
drove  in  his  pickets  in  front  of  Eappahannock  station 
and  Kelly's  ford  and  during  the  next  three  days  made 
strong  efforts  to  cross  at  various  points,  but  was  re 
pulsed. 

On  the  22nd,  the  Pennsylvania  Eeserves  under  Gen 
eral  Eeynolds,  with  the  exception  of  the  second  regi 
ment,  joined  the  Army  of  Virginia,  at  Kelly's  ford,  and 
was  attached  to  the  Third  corps,  General  McDowell,  they 
being  among  the  very  last  to  leave  Harrison's  Landing 
and  the  first  to  join  General  Pope. 

Early  on  the  morning  of  the  22d,  our  regiment  moved 
into  a  field  near  by  and  had  three  days'  rations  served 
out,  and,  although,  we  had  had  no  meat  for  six  days,  we 
were  forced  to  leave  this  behind  as  we  had  no  kettles 
to  boil  it  in,  and  salt  beef  roasted  creates  too  great  thirst 
for  men  to  march  with  during  hot  weather.  That  day, 
at  noon,  we  commenced  our  march  through  Falmouth, 
and  moved  up  the  river  on  the  Bealton  road.  The 
weather  was  oppressively  hot,  and  the  men  suffered 


A   FEAST   ON   MUTTON.  173 

much.  During  the  march,  for  the  first  time  this  season, 
we  met  with  fruit,  and  although  it  was  green  and  the 
men  were  suffering  much  from  the  diarrhoea,  they  could 
not  restrain  their  appetites  from  enjoying  the  delicacies, 
and,  contrary  to  all  expectations,  it  proved  a  most  effectual 
remedy  for  the  disease ;  their  systems  being  disposed  to 
the  scurvy,  the  acids  of  the  apples  acting  as  an  antidote. 
At  dark  we  bivouacked  in.  a  wood  by  a  roadside. 

Early  the  next  morning  we  marched  to  the  tune  of  the 
booming  gun  that  came  rolling  down  the  river,  passing 
by  Hartwood  and  halting  at  the  Grove  churches  during 
the  heat  of  the  day.  About  a  mile  beyond  there  we 
turned  to  the  left  passing  Crittenden's  mills  where 
Morell's  division  was  encamped.  Pushing  on  towards 
Eappahannock  station,  which  laid  eight  miles  beyond, 
and  where  we  knew  the  Reserves  were  engaged  with  the 
enemy,  we  marched  four  miles,  when  about  dark  we  met; 
two  cavalrymen,  who  informed  us  our  division  had  aban 
doned  the  station,  at  two  o'clock  that  afternoon,  and  fallen 
back  towards  Warrenton.  Under  these  circumstances, 
Colonel  McCandless  fell  back  to  the  mills,  where  we  re 
ported  to,  and  bivouacked  with,  General  Morell.  A  heavy 
rain  had  fallen  through  the  afternoon  and  continued 
through  the  night.  That  day  we  marched  seventeen 
miles,  though  we  made  but  nine. 

The  next  morning  some  of  the  boys  discovering  a 
number  of  sheep  running  around  loose  in  the  woods, 
shot  several  of  them  and  brought  them  into  camp,  which 
General  Morell  hearing  of,  was  shocked  beyond  measure 
at  the  impropriety  of  the  act,  arid  ordered  them  to  be 
buried  near  his  tent,  that  he  could  see  it  done  with  his 
own  eyes.  But  while  the  culprits  were  digging  the 
grave;  another  party  were  tunneling  from  the  side  of  the 
bank,  and  drew  the  sheep  out,  which  soon  became  part 
and  parcel  of  the  Second  Reserves. 

That  afternoon,  General  Morell  marched  with  his  whole 
force  to  the  northeast  where  we  took  up  a  strong  position 
at  the  gold  mines  near  Morrisville  and  laid  during  the 


174  OUR   CAMPAIGNS. 

night.  Here  we  remained  until  the  next  afternoon,  when 
our  Colonel,  anxious  to  join  the  division,  solicited  and 
obtained  permission  to  attempt  the  hazardous  task  of 
running  the  gauntlet  outside  our  picket  line,  and  Gen 
eral  Morell  taking  compassion  on  our  craven  stomachs, 
gave  us  a  fine  ox  and  his  blessing,  with  which  we  de 
parted  on  our  way  rejoicing.  In  a  few  miles  we  were 
outside  the  picket  lines,  pushing  direct  for  our  forces, 
through  a  section  of  country  continually  scoured  by  the 
enemy's  cavalry.  About  dark  we  passed  Bealton  sta 
tion,  which  is  four  miles  from  Rappahannock  station, 
and  moving  one  mile  beyond  bivouacked  in  a  wood,  and 
killing  our  ox,  we  enjoyed  a  hearty  meal  to  which  we 
had  been  strangers  for  some  time  past.  That  night  we 
posted  strong  guards  and  pickets  under  Captain  Connor 
and  sleeping  soundly  were  up  before  daybreak  the  next 
morning  and  off. 

Being  in  entire  ignorance  of  the  country  excepting 
the  general  directions,  and  the  unreliable  information  we 
gathered  from  the  few  inhabitants  we  met,  and  having 
no  knowledge  of  the  location  of  our  forces  except  that 
they  were  falling  back,  and  that  the  rear  guard  of  cav 
alry  and  artillery  were  engaged  with  the  enemy  in  the 
direction  of  Warrenton,  Sulphur  Springs  and  Waterloo 
bridge,  the  booming  of  whose  guns  we  could  plainly  hear, 
we  felt  exceedingly  anxious  to  find  our  division.  A  regi 
ment  lost  from  its  division,  is  like  a  soldier  lost  from  his 
regiment,  or  a  child  from  his  home.  Though  it  was  exces 
sively  hot,  and  we  had  added  to  the  length  of  our  wearied 
march  by  a  long  detour  in  the  early  part  of  the  day,  the 
boys  steadily  pressed  on  over  the  hilly  roads,  with  but 
few  and  short  halts  for  rest  or  water.  About  four  o'clock 
the  spires  of  Warrenton  were  seen,  and  soon  afterwards 
we  passed  through  the  town  and  moved  about  two  miles 
down  the  Waterloo  road,  where  we  at  length  found  our 
division,  and  bivouacked  in  a  woods  near  the  road,  hav 
ing  marched  twenty  miles. 

The  next  morning,  the  27th,  our  wagons  arrived,  and 


SECOND   BATTLE   OF   BULL   RUN.  175 

rations  were  again  served  out  to  us,  but  the  heads  of  the 
beef  barrels  had  hardly  been  stove  in  before  we  received 
orders  to  march.  This  was  rather  hard  for  the  boys,  as 
they  had  had  but  one  ration  of  meat  since  'the  morning 
of  the  16th.  But  there  was  no  remedy,  so  the  meat  was 
packed  in  the  wagons  again,  and  we  took  up  the  line  of 
march  through  Warrenton,  past  New  Baltimore,  and 
bivouacked  at  Buckland  Mills,  where  Broad  Eun  crosses 
the  Alexandria  and  Warrenton  turnpike. 

The  enemy  during  the  preceding  night  having  passed 
through  Thoroughfare  Gap,  and  cut  the  railroad  in  the 
neighborhood  of  Kettle  Eun,  about  six  miles  east  of 
Warrenton  Junction,  were  attacked  on  the  afternoon  of 
the  27th,  by  Hooker's  division,  about  four  miles  west  of 
Bristoe  Station,  and  driven  back  along  the  railroad  to 
Broad  Eun,  where,  at  dark,  he  still  confronted  Hooker. 
The  loss  on  each  side  was  about  three  hundred  killed  and 
wounded,  the  enemy  leaving  his  wounded,  and  much  of 
his  baggage  on  the  battle-field.  During  the  night  Ewell 
retired  to  Manassas  Junction. 


CHAPTEE  XVII. 

SECOND  BATTLE  OF  BULL  RUN.  CONDUCT  OP  GENERAL  FITZ- 
JOHN  PORTER.  THE  ARMY  FALLS  BACK.  BATTLE  OF  CHAN- 
TILLY.  ARLINGTON  HEIGHTS.  UPTON'S  HILL. 

SECOND  BATTLE  OF  BULL  EUN,  ON  THE  PLAINS  OF 
MANASSAS,  JULY  28TH,  29TH,  AND  30TH,— THE  next 
morning,  the  28th,  we  commenced  our  march  at  three 
o'clock,  and  upon  arriving  at  Gainesville  about  ten,  the 
head  of  the  column  was  fired  upon  by  a  battery  of  artil 
lery  posted  on  an  elevation  to  our  front  and  left.  The 
whole  column  was  marvellously  soon  unwoven,  and 
formed  into  line  of  battle  and  skirmishers  advanced,  but 
upon  Cooper's  rifled  guns  being  brought  to  bear  upon 


176  OUR   CAMPAIGNS. 

them,  they  withdrew,  but  not,  however,  before  some  loss 
had  been  sustained  on  our  side;  the  adjutant  of  the 
Eighth  Reserve  losing  a  leg,  and  one  man  being  killed 
and  five  wounded.  This  was  supposed  to  be  merely  a 
demonstration  by  the  enemy  to  save  a  wagon  train, 
•which  was  seen  moving  off  on  the  Sudley  Springs  road. 
We  then  resumed  our  march,  striking  across  the  country 
towards  Manassas  Junction,  in  the  neighborhood  of 
which  a  portion  of  the  enemy's  forces,  under  Generals 
Jackson,  Ewell,  and  A.  P.  Hill,  were  posted,  the  object 
being  to  cut  off  this  force  to  the  east,  from  the  main 
body  under  General  Lee,  who  were  advancing  from  the 
west,  through  Thoroughfare  Gap. 

About  five  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  it  being  ascer 
tained  the  enemy  had  moved  from  Manassas  towards 
Centreville  early  in  the  day,  we  turned  off  to  the  left, 
near  Bethlehem  Church,  and  took  the  Sudley  Spring 
road  towards  the  Warrenton  pike.  About  this  time  a 
heavy  cannonading  was  heard,  which  continued  until  it 
grew  into  the  thunder  of  a  desperate  battle.  We  had 
already  marched  many  long  and  weary  hours  and  miles, 
but  tired  and  exhausted  we  pressed  on  until  the  musketry 
firing  became  distinct,  the  flashing  was  seen  and  the 
mingling  voices  of  the  combatants  were  heard.  It  was 
after  nine  o'clock  that  night,  after  a  march  of  eighteen 
hours  and  twenty-eight  miles,  with  many  of  the  men 
without  any  thing  to  eat,  that  we  arrived  upon  the  battle 
field,  and  stretched  our  wearied  limbs  upon  the  grass  to 
sleep. 

King's  division  of  our  Corps  had  encountered,  near' 
Groveton,  Jackson's  force,  whom  Kearney  had  in  the 
afternoon  driven  out  of  Centreville,  and  who  were  re 
treating  towards  Thoroughfare  Gap,  to  form  a  junction 
with  the  main  army.  About  the  same  time  Rickett'a 
division  became  engaged  with  Long-street's  Corps,  near 
Thoroughfare  Gap,  about  eight  miles  further  west.  Both 
actions  were  severe,  but  not  decisive  for  either  side. 

Early  the  next  morning,  the  29th,  the  Keserves  were 


PLAINS   OF   MANASSAS.  177 

formed  and  moved  forward  to  meet  the  enemy.  We 
advanced  some  distance  and  passed  through  a  woods 
into  an  open  plain,  where  we  were  drawn  up  on  the  left 
of  a  vast  mass  of  troops  and  pushed  into  a  woods  beyond. 
Soon  we  were  ordered  back,  and  then  commenced  a 
series  of  marches  and  countermarches  through  the  hot, 
t>un  and  under  a  never-ceasing  fire  of  shot  and  shell, 
until  late  in  the  afternoon,  without  pulling  a'  trigger. 
The  day  was  extraordinarily  hard  on  the  men  of  our 
regiment,  who  were  worn  out  and  weak,  they  having 
had  but  one  ration  of  meat  in  thirteen  days,  and  but  little 
to  eat  the  day  before,  and  nothing  this  day. 

The  day  was  opened  by  Sigel  attacking  the  enemy 
early  in  the  morning,  a  mile  or  two  east  of  Groveton. 
Jackson  fell  back  several  miles,  but  was  so  closely 
pressed,  that  he  was  compelled  to  make  a  stand.  He 
accordingly  took  up  a  position  with  his  left  in  the  neigh 
borhood  of  Sudley  Springs,  his  right  a  little  to  the  south 
of  Warrenton  turnpike,  and  his  line  covered  by  an  old 
railroad  grade  which  leads  from  Gainesville  in  the  direc 
tion  of  Leesburg.  His  batteries,  which  were  numerous, 
and  some  of  them  of  heavy  calibre,  were  posted  behind 
the  ridges,  in  the  open  ground  on  both  sides  of  Warren- 
ton  turnpike,  whilst  the  mass  of  his  troops  was  sheltered 
in  dense  woods  behind  the  railroad  embankment.  Heint- 
zelman's  corps  occupied  the  right  of  our  line.  General 
Sigel  the  centre,  and  the  Pennsylvania  Reserves,  under 
Reynolds,  the  extreme  left,  south  of  the  Warrenton  turn 
pike.  A  portion  of  Reno's  force  was  in  the  line,  and  a 
portion  held  in  reserve,  in  the  rear  of  the  centre. 

Up  to  four  o'clock  very  severe  skirmishes  occurred 
constantly  at  various  points  on  our  line,  being  brought 
on  at  every  indication  that  the  enemy  made  of  a  dispo 
sition  to  retreat,  the  object  being  to  hold  them  until 
Porter  and  McDowell  with  the  rest  of  his  corps  could 
turn  their  right  and  rear,  when  it  was  confidently  ex 
pected  we  would  be  able  to  overwhelm  or  capture  the 
larger  portion  of  Jackson's  forces  before  he  could  be 

12 


178  OUR   CAMPAIGNS. 

reinforced.  At  two  o'clock,  when  Porter  and  McDowell 
should  have  been  in  the  positions  assigned  them,  they 
had  not  arrived,  and  peremptory  orders  were  sent  by 
General  Pope  to  Porter,  to  advance  and  attack  the  enemy. 
At  half-past  five  o'clock,  when  it  was  confidently  ex 
pected  that  Porter  was  coming  into  action  in  compliance 
with  orders,  Generals  Heintzelman  and  Reno,  on  the 
right,  commenced  an  assault  upon  the  enemy's  left.  The 
attack  was  made  with  great  gallantry,  and  the  whole 
of  the  left  of  the  enemy  was  doubled  back  towards  his 
centre,  and  our  forces,  after  a  sharp  conflict  of  an  hour 
and  a  half,  occupied  the  field  of  battle,  with  the  dead 
and  wounded  of  the  enemy.  In  this  attack  Grover's 
brigade  broke  through  two  of  the  enemy's  lines  and 
penetrated  to  the  third  before  it  could  be  checked.  By 
this  time  General  McDowell  arrived  on  the  field  with  the 
balance  of  his  corps,  which  was  pushed  to  the  front 
along  the  Warrenton  turnpike  to  fall  upon  the  enemy, 
who  was  retreating  towards  the  pike  from  the  direction 
of  Sudley  Springs. 

This  attack  was  made  by  King's  division  at  about 
sunset,  but  by  that  time  the  advance  of  the  main  body 
of  the  enemy,  under  Longstreet,  had  begun  to  reach  the 
field,  and  he  encountered  a  stubborn  and  determined 
resistance  at  a  point  about  three-fourths  of  a  mile  in 
front  of  our  line  of  battle. 

While  the  attack  was  being  made  on  the  enemy's  left, 
General  Eeynolds  was  ordered  to  threaten  their  right 
and  rear,  which  he  proceeded  to  do  under  a  heavy  fire 
of  artillery  from  the  ridge  to  the  left  of  the  pike.  This 
battery  of  heavy  guns  it  was  determined  to  attempt  to 
capture,  for  which  purpose  the  First  Reserves,  Colonel 
Roberts,  and  our  regiment,  Colonel  McCandless,  were 
sent  into  a  dense  woods  to  the  right  from  which  we  soon 
drove  the  enemy's  skirmishers  without  any  loss.  Hav 
ing  advanced  through  the  woods  to  the  opening  upon 
the  opposite  side,  we  displayed  ourselves  to  attract  the 
attention  of  the  enemy,  who  soon  opened  upon  us  a 


4 
PLAINS   OF   MANASSAS.  179 

most  terrific  fire  of  shell  and  grape,  to  which  we  could 
give  no  response.  Having  succeeded,  however,  in  draw 
ing  the  fire  from  the  storming  party,  we  laid  down 
quietly  and  watched  our  comrades  on  the  left.  Generals 
Seymour  and  Jackson,  at  the  head  of  their  brigades, 
most  gallantly  led  them  to  the  charge,  but  notwithstand 
ing  the  steadiness  and  courage  shown  by  the  men,  they 
were  compelled  to  faJl  back  before  the  heavy  artillery 
and  musketry  fire  which  met  them  both  on  the  front 
and  left  flank. 

The  fire  for  a  time  was  drawn  from  us,  but  soon  again 
it  returned,  the  iron  hail  whistling  and  bursting  over 
our  heads  through  the  woods,  tearing  the  branches  from 
the  trees  and  scattering  the  bark  in  every  direction.  It 
was  here  that  young  Poulson  of  Company  K  was  killed. 
As  the  storming  party  had  been  driven  back  and  as 
there  was  no  further  use  of  our  maintaining  the  posi 
tion,  Colonel  McCandless  withdrew  the  regiment  in  good 
order  from  the  woods,  and  we  fell  back  over  the  fields 
with  the  round  shot  and  shell  plowing  up  the  ground 
and  bursting  over  us.  If  we  had  had  a  battery  of  rifled 
guns,  the  result  would  probably  have  been  different,  but 
Eamson's  being  smooth-bored,  their  range  was  too  short. 
We  withdrew  to  the  position  we  moved  from  in  the 
morning,  the  enemy  occasionally  sending  round  shot  at 
long  range  among  us. 

Whilst  this  attack  was  going  on,  the  forces  under 
Heintzelman  and  Eeno  continued  to  push  the  left  of  the 
enemy  in  the  direction  of  the  Warrenton  turnpike,  so 
that  about  eight  o'clock  in  the  evening,  the  greater  por 
tion  of  the  field  of  battle  was  in  our  possession.  Bay 
ard's  cavalry  also  made  an  attack  on  the  extreme  left, 
which  ended  the  fighting  for  the  day,  which  we  could 
safely  now  claim  as  ours. 

In  regard  to  the  conduct  of  General  Fitz  John  Porter, 
the  following  is  extracted  from  the  official  report  of 
General  Pope : 

"  Nothing  was  heard  of  General  Porter  up  to  that  time, 


180  OUR   CAMPAIGNS. 

(eight,  P.  M.,)  and  his  force  took  no  part  whatever  in  the 
action,  but  were  suffered  by  him  to  lie  idle  on  their  arms 
within  sight  and  sound  of  the  battle  during  the  whole 
day.  So  far  as  I  know,  he  made  no  effort  whatever  to 
comply  with  my  orders  nor  to  take  any  part  in  the 
action.  I  do  not  hesitate  to  say,  that  if  he  had  dis 
charged  his  duty,  as  became  a  soldier  under  the  circum 
stances,  and  had  made  a  vigorous  attack  on  the  enemy, 
as  he  was  expected  and  directed  to  do,  at  any  time  up  to 
eight  o'clock  that  night,  we  should  have  utterly  crushed 
or  captured  the  larger  portion  of  Jackson's  force  before 
he  could  have  been  by  any  possibility  sufficiently  rein 
forced  to  have  made  any  effective  resistance.  I  did  not 
myself  feel  for  a  moment  that  it  was  necessary  for  me, 
having  given  General  Porter  an  order  to  march  towards 
the  enemy  in  a  particular  direction,  to  send  him  in  addi 
tion  specific  orders  to  attack,  it  being  his  clear  duty, 
and  in  accordance  with  every  military  precept,  to  have 
brought  his  forces  into  action  wherever  he  encountered 
the  enemy,  when  a  furious  battle  with  that  enemy  was 
raging  during  the  whole  day  in  his  immediate  presence. 
I  believe — in  fact,  I  am  positive — that  at  five  o'clock 
in  the  afternoon  of  the  29th,  General  Porter  had  in  his 
front  no  considerable  body  of  the  enemy.  I  believed 
then,  as  I  am  very  sure  now,  that  it  was  easily  practi 
cable  for  him  to  have  turned  the  right  flank  of  Jackson, 
and  to  have  fallen  upon  his  rear ;  that  if  he  had  done  so, 
we  should  have  gained  a  decisive  victory  over  the  army 
under  Jackson,  before  he  could  have  been  joined  by  any 
of  the  forces  of  Longstreet ;  and  that  the  army  of  Gene 
ral  Lee  would  have  been  so  crippled  and  checked  by  the 
destruction  of  this  large  force  as  to  have  been  no  longer 
in  condition  to  prosecute  further  operations  of  an  aggres 
sive  character.  I  speak  thus  freely  of  the  strange  failure 
of  General  Porter,  not  because  I  am  more  convinced  of 
its  unfortunate  results  now  than  I  was  at  that  time,  but 
because  a  full  investigation  of  the  whole  subject,  made 


PLAINS  OF   MANASSAS.  181 

by  a  court-martial  has  fully  justified  and  confirmed  that 
opinion." 

Our  loss  during  the  day  was  estimated  by  General 
Pope  at  from  six:  to  eight  thousand  killed  and  wounded, 
and  Generals  Hooker  and  Kearney,  who  had  been  over 
the  whole  field,  separately  estimated  the  loss  of  the  enemy 
at  from  two  to  one,  and  from  three  to  one  of  our  own. 

The  weary  and  hungry  boys  had  just  thrown  them 
selves  upon  the  ground  to  sleep,  when  orders  came  for 
our  brigade  to  go  on  picket.  Picket  on  the  battle-field 
means  to  be  in  line  of  battle  within  a  short  distance  of 
the  enemy,  and  to  be  prepared  at  any  moment  for  an 
attack  in  force.  We  silently  moved  off  to  a  woods  on 
the  edge  of  which  we  were  concealed,  with  pickets  about 
twenty  yards  in  advance  of  us.  In  our  front,  and  within 
hearing  of  their  voices,  were  the  foe  reposing  on  their 
arms.  A  sleepless  night  was  passed,  but  at  last  dawn 
came,  and  we  were  relieved  and  marched  back  to  the 
division. 

The  men  of  our  regiment  were  now  absolutely  suffer 
ing  for  food,  and  were  worn  down  by  constant  marching, 
fighting  and  loss  of  sleep,  and  unfit  for  the  battle-field, 
until  they  had  rest  and  rations.  Many  of  them  were  so 
utterly  exhausted  that  it  was  necessary  to  send  them  to 
the  rear,  as  they  could  not  continue  with  us.  The  brave 
boys  who  had  been  without  food  for  two  days,  and  had 
hardly  murmured  before,  now  commenced  complaining, 
and  four  of  them  came  to  appeal  to  the  Colonel.  Mc- 
Candless  heard  their  story,  which  he  knew  was  too  true, 
and  turning  to  his  saddle-bags,  drew  forth  two  buns 
which  he  had  just  received  from  an  aid,  and  breaking 
them  in  half,  distributed  them,  remarking,  "  Now,  I  have 
fed  the  regiment."  The  men  seeing  this,  complained  no 
more. 

Soon  after  we  marched  to  the'right  of  the  Warrenton 
pike,  and  a  few  boxes  of  crackers  were  distributed 
among  us,  giving  to  each  man  about  five.  We  then 
hurried  into  line  and  moved  forward,  crossing  Young's 


182  OUR  CAMPAIGNS. 

creek,  where  we  found  a  number  of  wounded  men. who 
were  collected  and  sent  to  the  rear.  Moving  forward, 
we  were  deployed  as  skirmishers  to  the  left  of  the 
"  Bucktails,"  over  a  rising  piece  of  ground  flanked  on 
either  side  by  heavy  woods.  As  we  advanced  a  pretty 
but  sad  sight  presented  itself.  It  was  the  dead  of  the 
preceding  day,  most  of  whom  at  this  point  were  the 
Fourteenth  Brooklyn,  dressed  in  their  large  flowing  red 
trousers  and  blue  jackets.  Through  the  gray  of  the 
morning  they  resembled  Zouaves  sleeping  peacefully 
upon  the  ground,  aod  interspersed  with  them  as  we 
approached  nearer,  we  could  see  the  blue  coats  and  gray 
jackets  taking  their  last  sleep  also.  This  was  the  pretty 
sight,  but  when  we  crept  up  stealthily  among  them  on 
our  bellies  watching  for  the  foe,  it  was  sad  to  gaze  upon 
their  cold  pale  faces,  and  think  of  the  happy  ones  at 
home  that  would  soon  be  steeped  in  anguish  for  the  loss 
of  the  brave  but  still  hearts  that  laid  around  us. 

After  feeling  for  the  enemy  for  some  time  they  were 
found  occupying  a  store  and  some  out-buildings  about 
three  hundred  yards  in  advance  of  us,  from  which  they 
kept  up  a  brisk  fire.  Leaving  a  portion  of  the  skirmish 
ers  to  occupy  their  attention,  McCandless  moved  with 
the  balance  to  the  left,  and  under  cover  of  the  woods 
crept  up  upon  them,  but  the  scamps  were  too  wide 
awake  to  be  caught,  they  skedaddling  before  we  could 
flank  them.  Taking  up  a  position  in  the  buildings  and 
the  extreme  edge  of  the  woods,  a  sharp  fire  was  opened 
by  both  sides  across  a  broad  field,  beyond  which  the 
enemy  were  posted  in  a  woods,  with  their  sharp-shooters 
in  the  trees,  from  which  they  were  dropped  in  a  lively 
manner  by  volleys  from  squads  of  our  men  who  marked 
every  tree  from  which  smoke  issued.  While  at  this  work 
Captain  Connors  received  a  severe  wound  from  a  rifle  - 
ball  passing  through  his  right  breast.  At  the  same  time 
a  brave  little  "Bucktail,"  who  was  going  ''to  try  my 
luck,"  got  knocked  over. " 

As  it  was  desirable  to  ascertain  more  fully  the  strength 


PLAINS   OF   MANASSAS.  183 

of  the  enemy  in  our  front,  we  were  ordered  to  advance, 
and  with  loud  cheers  we  crossed  the  field  that  intervened 
between  us  and  the  foe,  driving  them  before  us,  and 
pressing  on  about  four  hundred  yards  when  we  halted. 
In  the  meantime  a  masked  battery  was  discovered  to 
our  right  and  front  about  three  hundred  yards,  and  a 
large  force  of  infantry  and  artillery  on  our  left  and  rear 
about  twelve  hundred  yards  distant.  By  this  time  the 
Third  Reserve,  Colonel  Sickel,  come  to  our  support,  but 
McCandless  seeing  the  critical  position  we  were  in, 
ordered  us  to  retire,  which  we  did  with  the  utmost 
deliberation  and  order,  some  of  the  men  stopping  to 
destroy  muskets  left  upon  the  field  by  the  enemy.  A 
fine  brass  howitzer  was  also  found  in  the  road,  which 
would  have  been  brought  off  had  not  the  spokes  of  its 
wheels  been  cut.  Taking  up  our  former  position  we 
laid  down  and  were  quiet  for  about  an  hour  without  the 
enemy  molesting  us  in  the  least. 

It  was  now  near  two  o'clock  and  the  day  thus  far  had 
been  remarkably  quiet,  nothing  but  a  little  skirmishing 
going  on.  Up  to  ten  o'clock  in  the  morning  every 
indication  pointed  to  the  retreat  of  the  enemy  from  our 
front  along  the  Warrenton  pike  in  the  direction  of 
Gainesville.  Our  line  was  formed  with  Heintzelman's 
Corps  on  the  right,  Reno's  next,  Sigel's  next,  and  Porter's 
on  the  left  and  the  Warrenton  pike,  and  the  Keserves  on 
the  extreme  left,  south  of  the  turnpike,  they  being  the 
pivot  in  the  attack  which  Porter's  Corps  was  to  make 
on  the  enemy's  right  wing,  then  supposed  to  be  on  the 
pike  and  in  retreat.  About  this  time,  two  o'clock, 
Porter's  Corps  supported  by  King's  division  of  Mc 
Dowell's  Corps,  attacked  the  enemy  along  the  pike,  and 
at  the  same  time,  Heintzelman  and  Reno  on  the  right 
were  ordered  to  push  forward  to  the  left  and  front 
towards  the  pike,  and  attack  the  enemy's  flank. 

It  was  soon  after  this  attack,  that  our  line  of  skir- 
•mishers  fell  back  over  the  field,  and  when  General  Key-, 
aolds  saw  it  he  inquired  of  Colonel  McCandless  why  he 


184  OUR  CAMPAIGNS. 

bad  withdrawn,  "and  upon  being  informed  the  enemy 
were  on  our  left,  he  replied  it  was  impossible.  Putting 
spurs  to  his  horse  he  boldly  dashed  through  our  skir 
mishers  to  the  left  and  passing  into  the  open  ground 
beyond,  he  found  a  line  of  skirmishers  of  the  enemy 
nearly  parallel  to  our  line  covering  the  left  flank,  with 
cavalry  formed  behind  them,  perfectly  stationary,  evi 
dently  masking  a  column  of  infantry,  formed  for  attack 
on  our  left  flank  when  our  line  should  be  sufficiently 
advanced.  The  skirmishers  hoping  for  a  rich  prize 
opened  lire  upon  him,  but  he  run  the  gauntlet  and  gained 
the  division,  losing  an  orderly  who 'followed  him. 

It  was  now  apparent  that  the  enemy  was  not  falling 
back,  but  massing  his  troops  on  the  south  of  the  pike  to 
turn  our  left  flank,  and  General  Reynolds  upon  commu 
nicating  the  fact  to  General  McDowell  was  directed  by 
him  to  form  his  division  to  resist  this  attack,  the  dispo 
sitions  for  which  were  rapidly  completed.  Our  line  fell 
back  over  the  same  ground  we  advanced  on  in  the 
morning,  crossing  the  creek,  and  joining  our  division 
which  was  drawn  up  on  the  Ball  Hill  in  rear  of  a  heavy 
woods.  Our  guns  to  the  right  of  us  were  soon  engaged 
with  a  battery,  whose  range  they  soon  got,  and  forced  to 
withdraw. 

Farther  to  our  right  and  front,  in  the  woods  covering 
the  right  of  the  field  we  first  skirmished  over  in  tha 
morning,  Porter's  Corps  was  hotly  engaged  with  the 
unemy,  and  from  the  number  of  brigades  we  saw  going 
into  the  woods  some  hours  before  we  had  strong  hope 
they  would  be  able  at  least  to  hold  their  ground,  as  they 
were  fresh  troops,  having  arrived  upon  the  field  that  day. 
But  Porter's  attack  was  not  with  the  vigor  or  persistency 
it  should  have  been,  and  soon  it  retired  in  considerable 
confusion. 

The  Reserves  were  then  ordered  across  the  field  to 
the  rear  of  Porter,  to  form  a  line,  behind  which  his  troops 
might  be  rallied,  but  before  the  rear  of  our  column  had 
left  the  position  the  threatened  attack  by  the  enemy's 


PLAINS   OF    MANASSAS.  185 

right  began  to  be  felt,  and  the  rear  brigade,  under  Colonel 
Anderson  of  the  Ninth  Reserve  (the  gallant  Colonel 
Jackson  halving  been  taken  sick  on  the  field  early  in  the 
day),  with  three  batteries  of  artillery,  were  obliged  to 
form  on  the  ground  on  which  they  found  themselves  to 
oppose  it.  With  the  remaining  two  brigades  we  hurried 
on  across  the  field  to  the  right  under  a  heavy  fire  of 
round  shot  and  shell,  passing  by  the  Robinson  house 
across  a  road,  our  course  being  diverted  by  the  difficult 
nature  of  the  ground,  and  the  retreating  masses  of  the 
broken  columns,  among  the  troops  of  Heintzelman's 
Corps  already  formed,  by  which  much  time  was  lost  and 
confusion  created,  which  allowed  the  enemy  to  sweep 
up  with  his  right,  so  far  as  almost  to  cut  us  off  from  the 
pike,  leaving  nothing  but  the  Third  brigade,  the  three 
batteries  of  artillery  of  the  Reserves,  Tower's  two 
Brigades  and  McLean's  to  resist  the  advance  of  the  enemy 
on  our  left.  This  attack  on  the  Ball  Hill  was  too  severe 
for  the  troops  to  hold  it  long  under  the  hot  fire  the 
enemy  maintained  upon  it,  and  after  heavy  loss,  little 
by  little  they  were  compelled  to  yield  it.  It  was  here 
that  the  most  severe  loss  of  the  Reserves  was  sustained, 
both  in  men  and  material ;  Kern  losing  his  four  guns, 
but  not  until  wounded  and  left  on  the  field ;  Cooper,  his 
caissons.  Colonel  Harding,  Twelfth  Reserve,  was  here 
severely  wounded.  The  brigade  sustained  itself  most 
gallantly,  and  though  severely  pushed  on  both  front  and 
flank  maintained  its  position  until  overwhelmed  by 
numbers,  when  it  fell  back,  taking  up  new  positions 
wherever  the  advantages  of  ground  permitted. 

Our  two  brigades  and  battery  took  up  a  position  on 
the  brow  of  a  hill,  near  a  road,  from  which  we  overlooked 
a  large  portion  of  the  field,  and  Porter's  troops  com 
menced  forming  behind  us,  but  on  account  of  the  posi 
tion  at  the  Ball  house  being  forced  by  the  enemy,  we 
were  ordered  over  to  the  extreme  left,  and  took  up  a 
position  on  the  Henry  House  Hill.  There  we  were 
formed  in  column  of  brigade,  with  Ransom's  battery  of 


186  OUR   CAMPAIGNS. 

Napoleons  in  our  front,  who  were  throwing  their  shells 
at  long  range  upon  the  heavy  masses  of  the  enemy,  who 
were  advancing  upon  us.  Here,  under  a  most  terrifie 
shower  of  shell  we  remained  for  nearly  an  hour,  with  the 
brave  boys  falling  around  us,  but  all  in  good  heart, 
hoping  yet  to  gain  the  day.  While  here,  an  act  of  hero 
ism  was  performed  that  has  seldom  been  surpassed  upon 
any  field.  A  shell  dropped  a  few  feet  in  front  of  the 
left  of  our  regiment,  which  naturally  recoiled  from  it, 
when  the  fiery  missile  was  seized  by  a  non-commissioned 
officer  and  hurled  into  a  hole. 

.At  last  we  saw  line  after  line  of  our  troops  giving  way, 
as  the  enemy  came  sweeping  on  in  dense  columns,  shout 
ing  their  victorious  huzzahs  as  they  advanced.  If  this 
position  was  lost,  our  left  wing  would  be  turned  and  the 
enemy  would  interpose  his  force  between  the  main  body 
of  our  army  and  Centreville,  on  the  Warrenton  pike,  at 
the  crossing  of  Bqjl  Run  creek,  and  the  result  would  be 
fearful.  Therefore  it  was  necessary  for  us  to  maintain 
it  at  all  hazards.  Onward  the  well-dressed  lines  of  the 
enemy  advanced,  when,  "forward  Reserves!"  shouted 
the  gallant  Reynolds,  as  he  dashed  the  spurs  into  his 
horse's  sides,  and  led  the  charge,  followed  by  a  mass  of 
living  valor,  whose  loud  cheers  drowned  the  roar  of 
battle.  The  columns  met,  like  the  meeting  of  contending 
waves  of  the  ocean,  bubbling  up  and  foaming  over — but 
the  rear  ranks  pressed  on,  trampling  the  wounded  and 
the  dead  under  their  feet,  till  faltering  and  trembling, 
the  gallant  enemy  were  hurled  back  upon  the  denser 
masses  that  supported  them,  and  were  advancing  through 
the  woods.  The  scene  at  this  moment  was  the  most 
magnificently  grand  man  ever  beheld.  In  the  van, 
towering  above  the  masses,  rode  the  gallant  Reynolds, 
waving  aloft  a  standard  shot  from  its  staff.  Near  him 
was  the  cool-headed  Meade,  who  in  the  heat  of  battle 
almost  became  excited  as  he  urged  the  men  forward,  and 
next  followed  Seymour  with  his  brigade,  who  by  the 


PLAINS   OF   MANASSAS.  187 

gentle  waving  of  his  hand  restrained  the  ardor  of  his 
men  and  preserved  the  distinctness  of  the  lines. 

Onward  we  pressed,  pushing  the  enemy  into  the  woods, 
when  their  reserve  of  five  or  six  lines  deep  opened  upon 
us  a  withering  fire,  while  several  batteries  of  artillery 
that  had  obtained  our  exact  range,  poured  into  us  their 
flaming  missiles,  which  bursting  in  our  midst,  produced 
fearful  havoc.  At  the  same  time,  the  enemy  from  their 
vastly  superior  numbers  were  able  to  turn  our  left  flank 
into  which  they  poured  a  rapid  and  destructive  fire  of 
musketry.  The  struggle  here  became  most  fearful,  and 
it  was  a  long  while  before  our  lines  could  be  forced  back. 
But  at  last,  slowly  and  in  good  order  we  yielded  the 
ground,  and  fell  back  to  our  original  position,  near 
which  we  reformed  and  again  held  the  foe  at  bay,  rein 
forced  by  a  brigade  of  regulars,  under  Lieutenant-colo 
nel  Buchanan.  After  dark,  having  been  forced  back 
about  three-quarters  of  a  mile,  but  still  covering  the 
turnpike,  we  withdrew,  but  not  until  our  ammunition 
had  become  almost  exhausted,  and  almost  the  whole 
army  had  been  withdrawn  from  the  field.  The  Third 
brigade  soon  afterwards  rejoined  us,  and  in  the  early 
part  of  the  night  we  marched  toward  Centreville,  and 
bivouacked  with  Sykes'  division  upon  the  east  bank  of 
Cub  Run. 

When  we  were  forced  to  yield  the  ground  to  the  enemy, 
Colonel  McCandless,  whilst  most  gallantly  urging  the 
men  on,  received  a  severe  wound  in  the  right  thigh,  near 
the  groin,  and  seizing  the  flag  he  attempted  to  push  on 
with  it,  but  was  taken  from  the  field  by  main  force,  by 
Captain  Mealey,  and  the  flag  saved.* 

Lieutenant  James  C.  Justus,  who,  though  sick,  had  con 
tinued  with  the  regiment  from  Harrison's  Landing,  was 
taken  from  the  field  utterly  prostrated,  and  sent  to 
Washington. 

On  account  of  Company  G  being  detached,  and  the 

*  See  Appendix  A. 


188  OUR   CAMPAIGNS. 

number  of  sick  and. those  who  had  given  out  from  ex 
haustion  and  want  of  food,  we  entered  that  day's  battle 
with  but  one  hundred  men. 

In  the  official  report  of  General  Keynolds,  the  loss  of 
our  division  is  put  down  at  six  hundred  and  fifty-three 
men,  and  the  conduct  of  our  regiment  and  Colonel 
McCandless  is  complimentarily  noticed,  as  also  in  the 
reports  of  Generals  Seymour  and  McDowell. 

Of  our.  Generals  and  Division,  General  Pope  says: 
"Brigadier-General  John  F.  Reynolds,  commanding  the 
Pennsylvania  Reserves,  merits  the  highest  commendation 
at  my  hands.  Prompt,  active,  and  energetic,  he  com 
manded  his  division  with  distinguished  ability  through 
out  the  operations,  and  performed  his  duties  in  all  situa 
tions  with  zeal  and  fidelity.  Generals  Seymour  and 
Meade,  of  that  division,  in  like  manner,  performed  their 
duties  with  ability  and  gallantry  and  in  all  fidelity  to  the 
Government  and  to  the  army." 

Early  on  the  31st,  our  division  marched  to  Centreville 
and  halted  on  the  right  of  the  road.  It  had  been  raining 
through  the  night  and  during  the  morning  until  ten 
o'clock,  it  was  very  heavy.  The  houses  in  the  town 
were  crowded  with  our  wounded,  and  the  road  thronged 
with  soldiers  of  every  arm  of  the  service,  trying  to  find 
their  respective  commands.  Wagons  were  moving  to 
and  fro,  generals,  aids,  and  orderlies  were  galloping 
about,  and  squads  of  prisoners  sent  to  the  rear,  and  long 
trains  of  ambulances  were  pushing  towards  Washington. 
Omnibusses,  carriages  and  other  vehicles  lined  the  roads 
and  covered  the  fields  in  every  direction,  the  Government 
having  impressed  all  they  could  find  in  Washington, 
Georgetown,  and  Alexandria,  and  sent  them  out  for  the 
wounded.  Large  droves  of  horses,  tied  to  long  ropes 
were  also  sent  from  the  Government  corals  at  Washing 
ton.  Almost  all  the  Government  employees,  and  many 
citizens  also  came  out,  and  emptied  their  pockets  of  all 
the  tobacco  and  post  stamps  they  had,  as  those  articles 
were  in  great  demand  among  the  soldiers. 


TO   FAIRFAX   COURT   HOUSE.  189 

About  eleven  o'clock  the  division  was  marched  about 
two  miles  down  the  pike  and  halted,  when  coffee  and 
crackers  were  issued,  and  we  soon  got  our  fires  burning. 
This  was  a  perfect  god-send  to  us,  every  mouthful  of 
coffee  we  drank  seeming  like  so  much  life  passing  into  us. 
"We  remained  here  a  couple  of  hours,  when  we  marched 
back  to  Centreville,  and  halted  until  near  dark,  and  had 
salt  beef  served  up  to  us,  it  being  the  second  time  we  had 
meat  during  sixteen  days.  Just  before  dark  our  division 
was  sent  out  to  relieve  General  Eeno,  who  occupied  the 
position  of  Cub  Eun,  our  artillery  shelling  the  woods  as 
we  advanced.  Our  position  was  on  a  range  of  high  hills, 
covered  with  heavy  woods  and  dense  undergrowth,  in 
which  we  rested  on  our  arms  all  night,  the  enemy  not 
disturbing  us,  excepting  for  a  while  when  we  were  taking 
our  position,  when  they  sent  their  little  bees  humming 
around  our  ears.  It  was  a  long  night  of  watching  for 
our  wearied  men,  through  the  rain,  but  at  last  the  wel 
comed  morning  came  and  we  were  relieved  and  marched 
back  beyond  Centreville.  As  we  came  in  we  passed 
hundreds  of  ambulances  and  army  wagons  going  to  the 
field  after  the  wounded,  a  flag  of  truce  being  arranged  for 
that  purpose. 

That  morning,  September  the  1st,  we  were  mustered 
for  pay  by  Captain  James  N.  Byrnes,  upon  whom  the 
command  of  the  regiment  devolved,  he  being  the  senior 
officer ;  all  our  field  officers  being  wounded.  The  day 
before  was  the  proper  day,  but  it  was  impracticable. 

It  having  been  ascertained  that  the  enemy  were  at 
tempting  to  turn  our  right,  and  cut  off  our  communica 
tions  with  Washington,  by  moving  a  large  force  on 
the  Little  river  or  Aldie  turnpike,  towards  Fairfax 
Court  House,  our  army  was  stretched  along  the  Warren- 
ton  and  Alexandria  pike,  from  Centreville  to  beyond  the 
Court  House.  At  noon  we  moved  off'  down  the  pike, 
marching  on  the  fields  along  the  sides  of  the  road  which 
was  filled  with  continuous  strings  of  wagons,  moving 
both  ways.  A  little  before  sunset,  just  as  our  division 


190  OUR  CAMPAIGNS. 

had  passed  in  front  of  Chantilly,  an  attack  was  made  by 
the  enemy  on  the  troops  in  our  rear,  and  we  were  put  in 
position  in  a  large  open  field  in  reserve.  The  battle 
raged  furiously  for  some  time,  the  shot  and  shell  falling 
among  us,  but  doing  little  damage  to  our  division.  In 
the  midst  of  it  a  terrific  thunder  storm  occurred,  and  it 
appeared  as  if  heaven  and  earth  were  contending  for  the 
mastery.  But  the  darkness  of  night  terminated  the  con 
flict,  the  enemy  was  driven  entirely  back  from  our  front, 
but  the  gallant  Generals  Kearney  and  Stevens  fell.  We 
then  moved  off,  a  short  distance  and  bivouacked  on  the 
outskirts  of  Fairfax  Court  House,  it  continuing  to  rain 
all  night. 

The  next  morning  our  appetites  were  sharpened  bv 
the  sight  of  several  beeves  driven  in  to  our  butchers,  but 
before  the  hides  were  fairly  taken  off  of  them  orders . 
were  received  to  march,  but  the  boys  cut  some  good 
slices  from  them  and  took  along.  Marching  down  the 
road,  we  passed  through  Fairfax  to  Anandale,  where  we 
turned  to  the  left,  and  after  a  halt  of  an  hour  we  moved 
on  past  Ball's  cross  roads  to  near  Arlington  Heights, 
where  we  bivouacked  for  the  night.  On  the  road  we 
passed  large  numbers  of  wagons,  artillery  and  fresh 
troops.  The  new  regiments  were  easily  distinguished  by 
their  white  faces  and  full  knapsacks,  the  one  of  which 
Old  Sol  had  tanned  for  us,  and  the  other  we  had  learned 
to  do  without. 

During  the  day  there  was  some  artillery  fighting  in 
the  direction  of  Vienna,  but  before  nine  o'clock  at  night, 
all  the  command  was  inside  the  intrenchments  of  Wash 
ington,  excepting  three  corps  on  the  Vienna  and  Chain 
Bridge  roads,  that  did  not  arrive  until  the  next  day. 

It  may  as  well  be  stated  here  that  General  Banks  was 
stationed  along  the  railroad,  charged  with  the  safety  of 
the  wagon  and  railroad  trains,  and  as  during  no  time  on 
the  28th,  29th,  30th  and  31st  of  August,  the  road  was 
interrupted  between  Bristoe  Station  and  Alexandria  they 
were  withdrawn  with  very  little  loss. 


PORTER'S  CONDUCT.  191 

The  next  morning,  the  3d,  we  moved  about  three 
miles  to  near  the  Arlington  House,  the  late  residence  of 
the  Confederate  General,  Eobert  E.  Lee,  where  we  laid 
in  the  woods  until  four  o'clock  the  next  afternoon,  when 
we  marched  to  Upton's  Hill. 

Here  terminated  our  campaign  with  the  army  of  Vir 
ginia,  under  General  Pope,  which,  though  short,  was 
arduous  and  severe,  and  its  failure  is  not  to  be  attributed 
to  the  want  of  generalship  on  the  part  of  the  command 
ing  general  or  his  subordinates.  The  conduct  of  Gene 
ral  Fitz  John  Porter,  on  the  29th,  when  the  golden  op 
portunity  of  crushing  a  divided  foe  was  lost,  proved  fatal 
to  the  army  the  next  day,  and  so  clear  a  case  was  made 
out  against  him,  by  General  Pope  in  his  report,  as  to 
leave  no  doubt  upon  the  subject.  He  was  subsequently 
dismissed  from  the  service  by  a  court-martial,  and  dis 
qualified  from  ever  holding  any  office  of  honor  or  trust 
under  the  Government. 

It  may  seem  impossible  to'  some  that  General  Porter 
could  be  guilty  of  so  dark  a  crime,  but  it  must  be 
remembered  that  the  heart  of  man  is  now  governed  by  the 
same  impulses  it  ever  has  been  from  the  earliest  record, 
and  that  history  furnishes  many  instances  of  men  sacri 
ficing  their  fortunes,  lives,  souls  and  even  country,  to 
avenge  an  insult  their  pride  could  not  brook,  and  the 
only  explanation  we  know,  of  the  conduct  of  Porter,  was 
the  unfortunate  address  to  the  Army  of  Virginia,  issued 
by  General  Pope  upon  assuming  command  of  it,  in 
which  he  indirectly  insulted  General  McClellan  and  his 
counsellors  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac. 

General  Pope  estimated  his  forces  on  the  morning  of 
the  30th  as  follows  :  "  McDowell's  corps,  including  Rey 
nold's  division,  twelve  thousand  men ;  Sigel's  corps, 
seven  thousand  men ;  Reno's  corps,  seven  thousand ; 
Heintzelmen's  corps,  seven  thousand  men ;  Porter's 
corps,  which  had  been  in  no  engagements,  and  was,  or 
ought  to  have  been,  perfectly  fresh,  I  estimated  at  about 
twelve  thousand  men,  including  the  brigade  of  Piatt, 


192  OUR   CAMPAIGNS. 

which  formed  a  part  of  Sturgis'  division,  and  the  only 
portion  that  ever  joined  me.  But  of  this  force  the  brig 
ades  of  Piatt  and  of  Griffin,  numbering,  as  I  understood, 
about  five  thousand  men,  had  been  suffered  to  march  off 
at  daylight  on  the  30th  to  Centreville,  and  were  not 
available  for  operations  on  that  day  This  reduced  Por 
ter's  effective  force  on  the  field  to  about  seven  thousand 
men,  which  gave  me  a  total  force  of  forty  thousand  men. 
Banks'  corps,  about  five  thousand  strong,  was  at  Bristow 
Station,  in  charge  of  the  railroad  trains,  and  of  a  portion 
of  the  wagon  trains  of  the  army  still  at  that  place." 

Of  these  the  general  says :  "  As  may  be  supposed,  our 
troops,  who  had  been  so  continually  marching  and  fight 
ing  for  so  many  days,  were  in  a  state  of  great  exhaustion. 
They  had  had  little  to  eat  for  two  days  previous,  and  the 
artillery  and  cavalry  horses  had  been  in  harness  and 
saddled  continually  for  ten  days,  and  had  had  no  forage 
for  two  days  previous.  It  may  easily  be  imagined  how 
little  these  troops,  after  such  severe  labor,  and  after  un 
dergoing  such  hardships  and  privations,  were  in  condi 
tion  for  active  and  efficient  service." 

In  our  regiment  early  on  the  29th,  it  was  well  known 
that  some  trouble  existed  between  Generals  Pope  and 
Porter,  and  that  the  latter  would  not  render  a  cordial 
cooperation.  This  was  the  common  conversation  among 
the  officers  and  men,  who  had  gathered  it  upon  the  field, 
and  we  may  here  remark  that  among  old  troops  it  is 
almost  a  matter  of  impossibility  to  conceal  the  object  of 
any  extraordinary  movements  from  them.  There  are 
always  among  the  many  thousand  eyes  that  are  watching, 
some  who  can  divine  the  truth. 


MARCH  THROUGH  MARYLAND.         193 


CHAPTER  XVIII. 

CROSSING  THE  POTOMAC.    MARCH  THROUGH  MARYLAND.    BATTLE 
OF  SOUTH  MOUNTAIN.     REMARKABLE  INCIDENT. 

THE  army  having  been  withdrawn  to  the  defences  of 
Washinton,  General  McClellan  was  assigned  to  the  com 
mand  of  it  on  the  2d  of  September.  It  soon  after  being 
ascertained  that  the  enemy  intended  to  cross  the  Upper 
Potomac  into  Maryland,  our  army  was  put  in  motion  to 
again  meet  them. 

On  the  6th,  company  G,  Captain  Reitzel,  rejoined  us, 
they  having  marched  down  the  Peninsula  with  the  wagon 
trains,  and  the  same  night  about  nine  o'clock  we  fell  in 
and  marched  off  through  the  woods  to  the  pike,  passing 
a  long  line  of  ambulances,  carriages  and  wagons  filled 
with  our  wounded  from  the  late  field,  and  passing  over 
to  -Washington  on  the  Long  Bridge,  we  proceeded 
through  the  city  to  its  outskirts  on  the  Leesboro  road 
where  we  laid  down  about  two  o'clock  A.  M.  After 
a  short  repose,  we  were  up  and  moved  soon  after  light 
to  Leesboro,  ten  miles  distance,  where  we  laid  in  a  scrub 
woods  until  noon  on  the  9th,  when  we  marched  through 
Mechanics ville  to  near  Brook ville,  and  bivouacked  about 
sunset.  We  were  forced  to  leave  at  Leesboro,  under 
charge  of  a  guard,  all  our  ammunition,  rations  and  bag 
gage,  as  our  wagons  were  unloaded  and  taken  to  Wash 
ington,  ostensibly  for  clothing,  and  did  -not  rejoin  the 
regiment  until  after  Antietam. 

About  noon  the  next  day  we  moved  to  the  head 
waters  of  the  Patuxent  river  and  bivouacked,  and  the 
next  day  to  near  Poplar  springs.  We  were  now  ap 
proaching  the  neighborhood  of  the  enemy,  a  company 
of  whom  were  at  the  springs  the  night  before.  There, 
and  all  through  Maryland  where  they  had  been,  we  found 
they  had  taken  whatever  they  wanted,  leaving  the 

13 


194  OUR  •  CAMPAIGNS. 

,  % 

farmers  almost  destitute,  paying  for  the  articles  in  Con 
federate  money  and  quartermaster's  orders  that  were  not 
worth  the  paper  they  were  written  on. 

On  the  12th,  at  the  urgent  request  of  His  Excellency 
Governor  Curtin,  General  Reynolds  was  detached  from 
the  command  of  the  Reserves,  and  ordered  to  Pennsyl 
vania  for  the  purpose  of  organizing  the  militia  of  the 
State  and  preparing  them  for  armed  resistance  to  the 
enemy,  and  General  Meade  was  ordered  to  assume  his 
position.  On  the  morning  of  the  same  day  we  marched, 
and  striking  the  Baltimore  and  Frederick  turnpike 
passed  through  Kidgeville  and  New  Market,  bivouack 
ing  about  four  miles  beyond  the  latter  place.  All  along 
the  route  we  heard  the  complaints  of  the  inhabitants  of 
the  plundering  operations  of  the  "Liberating  Army," 
that  came  to  i'ree  "My  Maryland"  from  the  " oppressor's 
heel,"  and  bring  back  into  "their"  old  Union  all  the 
States.  Their  liberating  operations,  however,  seemed 
to  partake  much  of  the  nature  of  the  vultures,  coveting 
and  devouring. 

The  next  morning  we  marched  about  four  miles, 
crossing  the  Monocacy  and  halting  for  the  day  and  night 
on  its  banks.  A  brisk  artillery  skirmish  took  place 
during  the  day  about  eight  miles  from  here  on  the  side 
of  the  mountains,  where  we  could  plainly  see  the  smoke 
of  the  guns.  The  day  before  a  skirmish  took  place  here, 
the  enemy  trying  to  blow  up  the  turnpike  bridge  over 
the  Monocacy,  but  were  frustrated  in  their  design  by  our 
cavalry.  They  were  also  driven  out  of  Frederick,  where 
there  was  a  smart  little  street  fight.  While  in  possession 
of  the  city,  the  "  Liberators  "  ordered  all  the  stores  to  be 
opened,  which  they  soon  emptied  of  their  contents,  pay 
ing  for  the  same  in  their  worthless  trash.  They  also 
opened  a  recruiting  office,  but  did  not  do  a  very  thriving 
business. 

On  our  march  from  Washington,  Lieutenants  Black, 
Company  E,  and  Manton,  Company  B,  were  taken  sick, 


BATTLE  OF  SOUTH  MOUNTAIN.         195 

and  with  others  of  the  regiment  were  sent  back  to  the 
hospitals. 

Our  army,  which  had  been  slowly  moving  through 
Maryland  in  five  columns  between  the  Potomac  river 
and  the  Baltimore  and  Ohio  Kailroad;  covering  both 
Washington  and  Baltimore,  was  now  concentrated  near 
Frederick  following  closely  the  retiring  foe.  During 
the  march  the  progress  of  reorganization,  rendered 
necessary  after  the  demoralizing  effects  of  the  disastrous 
campaign  upon  the  Virginia  side  of  the  Potomac,  rapidly 
progressed,  the  troops  regaining  their  confidence  and 
spirit,  and  being  anxious  to  again  meet  the  enemy. 

BATTLE  OF  SOUTH  MOUNTAIN,  SEPTEMBER  MTH. — On 
Sunday,  the  14th  of  September,  the  reveille  was  sounded 
at  three  o'clock,  and  after  coffee  and  crackers  we  took 
up  our  march,  passing  through  Frederick,  whose  inhabi 
tants  were  hardly  up,  yet  we  found  many  flags  waving 
and  bright  eyes  peering  from  the  windows.  We  moved 
on  the  National  road  winding  up  the  Catoctin  Mountains 
past  Fairview  to  Jerusalem  on  the  summit,  where  the 
day  before  an  artillery  fight  had  taken  place  much  to 
the  discomfort  of  the  enemy,  one  of  whose  caissons  was 
exploded.  This  mountain  separates  the  valley  of  the 
Monocacy  from  that  of  Catoctin,  and  the  scenery  on 
both  sides  is  magnificent,  equalling  almost  any  of  the 
kind  we  ever  saw.  Beyond  was  the  South  Mountains 
i'rom  whose  side  issued  puffs  of  smoke  from  -guns  of  the 
enemy,  whose  reports  came  booming  over  the  valley. 
About  noon  we  marched  through  Middletown,  a  pretty 
and  thriving  place,  whose  inhabitants  turned  out  en 
masse  to  welcome  us  and  cheer  us  on  our  way  to  battle. 
Never  was  a  more  cordial  welcome  given  to  troops  than 
was  given  to  us.  Bread,  cakes,  rnilk,  water,  fruit  and 
tobacco,  were  freely  given  by  the  good  people  who 
crowded  the  doors  and  windows  and  lined  the  pave 
ments,  and  flags  and  handkerchiefs  were  waved  and 
flowers  thrown  as  we  passed.  We  felt  then,  for  the  first 
time  during  the  war,  we  were  fighting  among  friends. 


196  OUR   CAMPAIGNS. 

Marching  on  with  happy  hearts  we  crossed  the  Catoctin 
where  the  enemy  had  burned  the  bridge,  mill  and  sur 
rounding  houses,  and  halted  near  its  banks  to  make 
coffee. 

During  the  morning  General  Pleasanton,  with  his 
cavalry  and  horse  artillery,  had  been  skirmishing  with 
the  enemy,  and  had  at  last  driven  them  to  Turner's  Gap, 
of  the  South  Mountains,  where  they  determined  to  make 
a  stand.  The  mountain  at  this  point  is  about  one  thou 
sand  feet  high,  and  there  are  two  country  roads,  one  to 
the  north  and  the  other  to  the  south  of  the  turnpike  or 
National  road,  which  gave  access  to  the  crests  overlook 
ing  the  main  road.  The  one  on  the  north  is  called  the 
"  Old  Hagerstown  road,"  and  the  one  on  the  south  the 
"  Old  Sharpsburg  road." 

General  Cox's  division  was  sent  to  support  Pleasanton, 
and  the  First  brigade  arrived  about  nine  A.  M.,  and  was 
sent  up  the  old  Sharpsburgh  road  to  feel  the  enemy  and 
ascertain  if  he  held  the  crest  on  that  side  in  force.  Such 
being  found  to  be  the  case,  upon  the  arrival  of  the  other 
brigade,  General  Cox,  being  assured  by  Reno  he  would 
be  supported  by  the  whole  of  his  corps,  advanced  to  the 
assault.  Two  twenty-pound  Parrots  and  four  light  guns 
were  put  in  position  near  the  pike,  where  they  did  good 
execution  against  the  enemy's  batteries  in  the  gap. 
Colonel  Scammon's  brigade  was  deployed,  and  well 
covered  with  skirmishers,  it  moved  up  the  slope  to  the 
left  of  the  road  to  turn  the  enemy's  right.  It  succeeded 
in  gaining  the  crest  in  spite  of  the  vigorous  efforts  of  the 
enemy,  who  was  posted  behind  stone  walls  and  in  the 
edge  of  timber,  with  a  battery  which  poured  into  them 
canister  and  case  shot.  Colonel  Cooke's  brigade  followed 
at  supporting  distance.  A  section  of  a  battery  was 
moved  up  with  great  difficulty  and  opened  with  canister 
at  very  short  range  on  the  enemy's  infantry,  but  was 
forced  to  withdraw. 

The  enemy  several  times  attempted  to  retake  the 
crest,  but  were  each  time  repulsed.  They  then  with- 


BATTLE  OF  SOUTH  MOUNTAIN.         197 

drew  their  battery  to  a  point  more  to  the  right,  and 
formed  columns  on  both  our  flanks.  It  was  now  about 
noon,  and  a  lull  occurred  in  the  contest,  which  lasted 
until  about  two  P.  M.,  during  which  time  the  rest  of  the 
corps  came  up.  Upon  the  arrival  of  General  Wilcox's 
division,  General  Keno  ordered  him  to  move  up  the  old 
Sharpsburgh  road  and  take  a  position  to  its  right,  over 
looking  the  turnpike.  Two  regiments  were  detached  to 
support  General  Cox,  and  a  section  of  Captain  Cook's 
battery  was  placed  in  position  near  the  turn  of  the  road, 
on  the  crest,  and  opened  fire  on  the  enemy's  batteries 
across  the  gap.  As  the  division  was  deploying,  the 
enemy  suddenly  opened  with  a  battery  at  short  range, 
and  drove  Cook's  cannoniers  with  their  limbers  from  their 
guns  and  caused  a  temporary  panic,  in  which  the  guns 
were  nearly  lost.  But  the  Seventy-Ninth  New  York, 
and  the  Seventeenth  Michigan  rallied,  and  advancing 
soon  restored  order,  and  the  division  was  formed  in  line 
on  the  right  of  Cox,  and  was  kept  concealed  as  much  as 
possible  under  the  hill  side,  until  the  whole  line  advanced. 
It  lost  heavily  from  the  fire  of  the  battery  in  front,  and 
those  on  the  other  side  of  the  turnpike. 

Shortly  before  this,  Generals  Burnside  and  Reno  ar 
rived  at  the  base  of  the  mountains,  and  the  latter  was 
directed  to  move  up  the  divisions  of  Sturgis  and  Eod- 
man  to  the  crest  by  Cox  and  Wilcox,  and  to  attack  the 
enemy  with  his  whole  force  as  soon  as  Hooker,  on  the 
right,  was  well  up  the  mountains.  General  Sturgis 
reached  the  scene  of  action  about  half-past  three  o'clock, 
and  Clark's  battery  was  sent  to  assist  General  Cox's  left, 
and  the  Second  Maryland  and  Sixth  New  Hampshire 
were  detached  and  sent  forward  a  short  distance  to  the 
left  of  the  turnpike.  The  balance  of  the  division  was 
formed  in  rear  of  Wilcox's,  and  Kodman's  division  was 
divided ;  Colonel  Fairchild's  brigade  being  placed  on  the 
extreme  left,  and  Colonel  Harland's  on  the  right. 

General  McClellan  ordered  the  whole  line  to  move  for 
ward  and  take  or  silence  the  enemy's  batteries  in  front, 


198  OUR   CAMPAIGNS. 

which  was  executed  with  enthusiasm.  The  enemy  made 
desperate  resistance,  charging  our  advancing  lines  with 
firmness,  but  they  were  every  where  routed  and  fled. 

The  chief  loss  was  in  Wilcox's  division.  The  enemy 
made  an  effort  to  turn  our  left  about  dark,  but  were  re 
pulsed,  as  also  in  their  efforts  to  regain  the  lost  ground 
in  front  of  Sturgis  and  Cox.  A  lively  fire  was  kept  up 
until  nearly  nine  o'clock,  several  charges  being  made  by 
the  enemy,  and  repulsed  with  slaughter,  and  we  finally 
occupied  the  highest  part  of  the  mountains.  General 
Eeno,  a  brave  and  skilful  soldier,  was  killed  just  before 
sunset. 

While  these  operations  were  progressing  on  the  left, 
the  right,  under  General  Hooker,  was  actively  engaged, 
About  two  o'clock  we  moved  forward  from  the  Catoctin, 
on  the  main  road,  and  turned  9ff  to  the  right,  on  the  old 
Hagerstown  road,  passing  through  the  woods  and  over 
the  fields,  along  the  base  of  the  mountains  about  one  mile 
and  a  half,  where  we  rested.  While  moving  to  this 
position,  the  enemy  opened  upon  us  with  several  pieces 
of  artillery,  throwing  their  shell  in  close  proximity, 
which  caused  great  consternation  among  the  citizens, 
who  accompanied  us  to  see  the  fun.  The  children  laid 
down  upon  the  ground,  the  women  shrieked,  and  the 
men  displayed  wondrous  agility  in  leaping  the  fences, 
which  caused  considerable  amusement  among  us. 

General  Seymour,  whose  brigade  occupied  the  ex 
treme  right,  deployed  the  "  Bucktails"  as  skirmishers  to 
feel  the  enemy,  with  our  regiment  about  fifty  yards  in 
their  rear,  as  a  support.  Advancing  up  the  foot  hills, 
we  soon  became  engaged,  and  drove  them  from  a  farm 
house,  where  they  made  considerable  resistance,  during 
which  the  lines  of  the  two  regiment  became  mixed  and 
were  not  again  fully  separated.  We  drove  the  enemy 
a  long  distance,  with  the  left  wing  of  our  regiment  acting 
as  a  support,  when  coming  to  a  stone  wall,  at  the  imme 
diate  base  of  the  mountains,  they  rallied  and  made  a 
stubborn  resistance,  but  the  impetuosity  of  the  boys 


BATTLE  OF  SOUTH  MOUNTAIN.         199 

carried  them  over  it,  when  one  of  the  most  exciting  and 
spirited  fights  'took  place  we  ever  witnessed.  The 
ground  was  of  the  most  difficult  character  for  the  move 
ment  of  troops,  the  mountain  side  being  very  steep  and 
rocky,  and  obstructed  by  stone  walls,  rocks  and  timber; 
from  behind  which  the  enemy,  in  lines  and  squads  kept 
up  an  incessant  fire,  as  also  from  their  guns  posted  upon 
the  mountain  tops.  All  order  and  regularity  of  the 
lines  were  soon  destroyed,  and  the  battle  partook  of  the 
nature  of  a  freevfight,  every  one  going  in  "  on  his  own 
hook^,'  as  it  suited  his  fancy.  From  wall  after  wall,  and 
rock  after  rock,  thecenemy  were  driven  until  our  glorious 
banners  caught  the  gleam  of  the  setting  sun,  that  had 
been  hid  from  our  sight  by  the  mountain  tops.  Our 
loud  cheers  of  victory  arose  from  the  crest,  and  was 
rolled  down  the  mountain  side.  It  was  dark  before  the 
battle  was  over,  and  a  desultory  fire  was  continued  until 
near  nine  o'clock.  Towards  the  close  of  the  battle, 
General  Hooker  ordered  up  General  Duryea's  brigade  of 
Rickett's  division,  but  they  did  not  arrive  until  after  the 
action  closed,  and  upon  their  reaching  the  crest,  they 
lustily  cheered  the  Eeserves. 

In  his  official  report  General  McClellan  says,  "  General 
Meade  speaks  highly  of  General  Seymour's  skill  in  hand 
ling  his  brigade  on  the  extreme  right,  securing  by  his 
manoeuvres  the  great  object  of  the  movement,  the  out 
flanking  of  the  enemy." 

While  the  Eeserves  were  at  work  on  the  extreme 
right.  General  Hatch's  division  was  engaged  in  a  severe 
contest  for  the  crest  to  our  left,  which  they  carried  soon 
k  after  dusk  with  considerable  loss.  General  Gibbon  with 
his  brigade  late  in  the  afternoon  moved  up  the  turnpike 
and  attacked  the  enemy's  centre,  and  after  a  severe 
engagement  which  lasted  until, nine  o'clock  entirely 
defeated  and  drove  him  away.* 

Just   before   the  battle  opened  our   Adjutant,  A.  T. 


*  See  Appendix  A. 


200  OUK    CAMPAIGNS. 

Cross  was  detailed  as  an  Aid  to  General  Seymour  and 
acted  with  conspicuous  bravery. 

The  troops  we  fought  consisted  of  D.  H.  Hill's  Corps, 
our  old  friend  Longstreet's,  and  a  portion  of  Jackson's, 
numbering  about  thirty  thousand  men.  Our  force  was 
about  the  same,  and  our  loss  was  three  hundred  and 
twelve  killed,  one  thousand  two  hundred  and  thirty -four 
wounded  and  twenty-two  missing,  makiog  an  aggregate 
of  one  thousand,  five  hundred  and  sixty-eight.  About 
fifteen  hundred  prisoners  were  taken  by  us  during  the 
battle,  and  the  loss  to  the  enemy  in  killed  was  much 
greater  than  our  own,  and  probably  also  in  wounded. 

That  night  we  slept  on  the  mountain,  and  found  the 
heavy  dews  chilling  and  damp.  To  the  west  in  the  valley 
below  us  the  enemy's  camp-fires  burnt  brightly  all  night. 
Through  the  night  ammunition  was  received  and  distri 
buted  to  the  men.  About  one  o'clock,  the  Adjutant  of 
the  Fifth  Alabama  who  was  probably  waking  up  the 
men  of  his  regiment  to  withdraw  them,  got  among  our 
boys  in  mistake,  who  not  admiring  the  rough  shaking  he 
gave  them,  coupled  with  the  information  that  the  "  Yanks" 
were  near,  one  of  them  got  up  and  knocked  him  down, 
and  took  him  prisoner. 

In  the  morning  we  were  up  early,  and  buried  the 
dead.  Among  the  enemy's  was  Colonel  Gale  of  the 
Twelfth  Alabama,  a  very  gentlemanly  looking  fellow. 
Oar  pity  was  excited  by  a  young  Alabamian  who  had 
a  musket  ball  through  the  forehead.  He  was  uncon 
scious,  yet  vitality  in  him  was  strong  and  he  swallowed 
water  freely. 

A  rather  remarkable  incident  occurred  in  this  battle. 

In  the  regiment  there  was  a  man  who  had  been 

through  the  Mexican  and  this  war,  but  who  had  never 
been  in  a  battle,  he  always  shirking,  and  neither  the 
threats  of  his  officers  or  ridicule  of  his  comrades  could 
induce  him  to  go  into  danger,  as  he  declared  he  had  a 
presentiment  when  a  boy  that  he  would  be  killed  the 
first  fight  he  went  into.  Some  of  his  comrades,  however, 
determined  he  should  go  into  this  battle,  and  threatened 


AXD   KEEDY3VILLE.  201 

to  shoot  him  if  he  did  not.  Soon  after  his  regiment  got 
under  fire  he  laid  down  behind  a  trunk  of  a  tree  where 
he  w.as  perfectly  safe,  but  seeing  a  large  rock  a  few  feet 
from  him,  he  got  up  to  go  to  it,  and  the  instant  he  rose 
he  fell  dead  with  nine  of  the  enemy's  balls  in  him.  What 
ever  could  have  induced  him  to  go  a  soldiering  a  second 
time  after  he  had  discovered  his  failing  we  cannot 
imagine.* 

Before  we  left  the  field,  General  Seymour  thanked 
Captain  Byrnes  and  the  regiment  for  their  conduct 
during  the  battle. 

The  Eeserves  moved  off  about  nine  A.  M.,  but  we 
were  detained  on  the  mountain  until  noon,  when  we 
marched  to  the  turnpike  along  which  we  moved  to 
Boonsboro',  where  we  found  the  churches  and  buildings 
filled  with  the  enemy's  wounded.  Large  numbers  of 
prisoners  were  also  there  Binder  guard,  and  further  on 
we  passed  many  more,  the  most  of  whom  had  voluntarily 
come  in  and  given  themselves  up  to  the  citizens.  Here 
early  in  the  day  our  cavalry  overtook  the  enemy's  and 
charging  them,  killed  and  wounded  a  number  and  cap 
tured  two  hundred  and  fifty  prisoners  and  two  guns. 

At  Boonsboro'  we  turned  to  the  left,  and  marched  to 
Keedysville,  where  we  halted  for  several  hours.  Here 
the  boys  were  most  liberally  supplied  with  hot  cakes 
and  bread  by  Mr.  John  Cost,  a  good  Union  citizen  of 
that  place,  and  from  whom  Captain  Byrnes  got  liquor 
enough  to  give  the  men  a  ration.  Just  before  dark  we 
moved  off  and  bivouacked  in  an  orchard. 


*  Bravery  is  born  in  us' and  not  acquired.  It  lies  in  the  blood  and 
is  a  species  of  instinct.  It  is  involuntary,  and  depends  not  upon 
ourselves.  It  is  always  thoughtlessly  impetuous  and  is  inspired  by 
the  impulse  of  example,  the  blindness  arising  from  common  danger, 
and  the  heat  of  battle. 

Courage,  which  is  generally  confounded  with  bravery,  is  not 
always  united  with  it.  It  is  in  the  soul,  and  is  a  real  virtue,  a  sublime 
and  noble  sentiment.  It  is  the  result  of  reflection,  of  education  and 
sometimes  of  misfortune.  It  is  animated  by  patriotism,  self-respect 
nnd  a  zeal  for  the  cause  engaged  in.  It  is  not  inaccessible  to  fear; 
but  it  overcomes  it.  Bravery  in  the  hour  of  danger  is  sometimes 
weakened  by  reflection ;  courage  is  always  strengthened  by  it. 


202  OUR  CAMPAIGNS 


CHAPTER  XIX. 

THE  BATTLE  OF  ANTIETAM.  FIELD  HOSPITALS.  THE  ENEMY 
WITHDRAWN  TO  VIRGINIA.  PORTER'S  RECONNOISSANCE.  VlSIT 
OF  PRESIDENT  LINCOLN. 

DURING-  the  day  the  army  under  McClellan  had  been 
concentrated  in  the  neighborhood  of  Antietam  creek, 
where  the  enemy  was  found  occupying  a  strong  position 
on  the  heights  to  the  westward  of  it.  Some  artillery 
firing  had  taken  place  between  our  advance  and  the 
enemy,  but  it  amounted  to  little  on  either  side. 

BATTLE  OF  ANTIETAM,  SEPTEMBER  16TH  AND  I?TH. — 
Antietam  creek,  in  this  vicinity,  is  crossed  by  four 
stone  bridges — the  upper  one  on  the  Keedysville  and 
Williamsport  road ;  the  second  on  the  Keedysville  and 
Sharpsburg  turnpike,  some  two  and  a  half  miles  below ; 
the  third  about  a  mile  below  the  second,  on  the  Khorer- 
ville  and  Sharpsburg ;  and  the  fourth  near  the  mouth  of 
Antietam  creek,  on  the  road  leading  from  Harper's  Ferry 
to.  Sharpsburg,  some  three  miles  below  the  third.  The 
stream  is  sluggish,  with  few  and  difficult  fords. 

The  enemy  had  the  mass  of  his  troops  concealed  be 
hind  the  heights  to  the  west  of  the  creek.  Their  left  and 
centre  were  upon  and  in  front  of  the  Sharpsburg  and 
Hagerstown  turnpike,  hidden  by  woods  and  irregulari 
ties  of  the  ground ;  their  extreme  left  resting  upon  a 
wooded  eminence  near  the  cross  roads  to  the  north  of  J. 
Miller's  farm,  their  left  resting  upon  the  Potomac.  Their 
line  extending  south,  the  right  resting  upon  the  hills  to 
the  south  of  Sharpsburg,  near  Sheavely's  farm.  On  all 
favorable  points  the  enemy's  artillery  was  posted,  and 
their  reserves  hidden  from  view  by  the  hills,  on  which 
their  line  of  battle  was  formed,  could  manoeuvre  unob 
served  by  our  army,  and  from  the  shortness  of  their  line 
could  rapidly  reinforce  any  point  threatened  by  our 


BATTLE    OF   ANTIETAM.  203 

attack.  Their  position,  stretching  across  the  angle 
formed  by  the  Potomac  and  Antietam,  their  flanks  and 
rear  protected  by  these  streams,  was  one  of  the  strongest 
to  be  found  in  this  region  of  country,  which  is  well 
adapted  to  defensive  warfare. 

On  the  right,  near  Keedysville,  on  both  sides 'of  the 
Sharpsburg  turnpike,  were  Sumner's  and  Hooker's  corps. 
In  advance,  on  the  right  of  the  turnpike  and  near  Antie 
tam  creek, '  General  Eichardson's  division  of  Sumner's 
corps  was  posted.  General  Sykes'  division  of  General 
Porter's  corps  was  on  the  left  of  the  turnpike  and  in  line 
with  General  Eichardson's,  protecting  the  bridge  on  the 
Keedysville  and  Sharpsburg  pike.  The  left  of  the  line, 
opposite  to  and  some  distance  from  the  bridge  on  the 
Eohrersville  and  Sharpsburg  road,  was  occupied  by  Gene 
ral  Burnside's  corps.  In  front  of  General  Sumner's  and 
Hooker's  corps,  near  Keedysville,  and  on  the  ridge  of 
the  first  line  of  hills  overlooking  the  Antietam,  and 
between  the  pike  and  Fry's  house  on  the  right  of  the 
road  were  placed  Captains  Taft's,  Von  Kleiser's,  and 
Lieutenant  Weaver's  batteries  of  20-pounder  Parrott 
guns.  On  the  crest  of  the  hill  in  the  rear  and  right  of 
the  bridge  on  the  Eohrersville  and  Sharpsburg  road; 
Captain  Weed's  3-inch  and  Lieutenant  Benjamin's  20- 
pounder  batteries,  General  Franklin's  corps  and  Couch's 
division  held  a  position  in  Pleasant  valley  in  front  of 
Brownsville,  with  a  strong  force  of  the  enemy  in  their 
front. 

The  enemy  was  commanded  by  General  E.  E.  Lee, 
and  their  force  was  composed  of  General  Jackson's, 
Longstreet's,  D.  H.  Hill,  Stuart,  Eansom's,  Jenkins',  and 
other  troops,  and  from  information  obtained  by  the  ex 
amination  of  prisoners,  deserters,  spies,  etc.,  previous  to 
the  battle,  they  were  estimated  to  number  ninety-seven 
thousand  four  hundred  and  forty-five  men  for  duty,  and 
four  hundred  guns.  Our  own  force,  composed  of  the 
corps  of  General  Hooker,  Sumner,  Porter,  Franklin, 
Burnside,  Banks;  the  divisions  of  Couch  and  Pleasanton 


204  OUR   CAMPAIGNS. 

numbered  eighty-seven  thousand  one  hundred  and  sixty- 
four. 

About  daylight  on  the  16th  the  enemy  opened  a 
heavy  fire  of  artillery  on  our  guns  in  position,  which 
was  promptly  returned  ;  their  fire  being  silenced  for  the 
time,  but  was  frequently  renewed  during  the  day.  Early 
in  the  morning  our  division  moved  oft'  to  the  right  of 
the  Keedysville  and  Williamsport  road,  where  it  laid 
until  near  three  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  during  which 
time  we  received  sugar,  coffee,  and  a  few  crackers,  the 
roads  from  Frederick  being  so  crowded  with  masses  of 
infantry,  cavalry  and  artillery,  as  to  delay  the  arrival  of 
the  supply  trains. 

At  this  time  our  regiment  numbered  one  hundred  and 
seventy-one,  rank  and  file,  and  four  commissioned  officers 
present  for  duty.  Colonel  McCandless,  Lieutenant-colonel 
Woodward,  and  Major  Neide  being  absent  wounded,  the 
command  devolved  upon  Captain  Byrnes.  Adjutant 
Cross  was  acting  as  an  aid  to  General  Seymour.  Captain 
Connors  being  wounded,  the  command  of  Company  A 
devolved  on  Lieutenant  Boss.  -  Captain  McDoaough  being 
on  recruiting  service,  Lieutenant  Jack  absent  wounded, 
and  Lieutenant  Manton  absent  sick,  that  of  Company  B, 
on  Sergeant  Cullen.  Captain  Byrnes  being  in  command 
of  the  regiment,  Lieutenant  Robinson  absent  wounded, 
and  Lieutenant  Nightingale  dead,  that  of  Company  C,  on 
Sergeant  Michael  Crowley ;  Captain  Ellis  having  left  his 
company,  Lieutenant  Curley  being  on  recruiting  service, 
and  Lieutenant  Young  being  absent  sick,  that  of  Com 
pany  D,  on  Orderly  Sergeant  Thomas  Canavan.  Captain 
Finnie  being  wounded,  Lieutenant  Black  absent  sick, 
and  Lieutenant  Fletcher  dead,  that  of  Company  E,  on 
Orderly  Sergeant  John  Taylor.  Captain  Reitzel  and 
Lieutenant  Ehoads  being  sick,  that  of  Company  G,  on 
Lieutenant  Wimpf  heirner.  Captain  Mealey  was  the  only 
officer  present  in  Company  H.  Lieutenants  Kennedy  and 
Clendinning  being  absent  wounded,  and  Captain  Smith 
being  wounded,  Lieutenant  Harvey  detached  to  the 


THE   BATTLE   OF  ANTIETAM.  205 

Signal  Corps,  and  Lieutenant  Justus  being  absent  sick, 
Company  K  was  commanded  by  Sergeant  Thomas  May. 
Companies  C  and  K,  jointly,  were  under  the  command 
of  Sergeant-major  Woodward. 

*  It  was  near  three  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  when  our 
division,  followed  by  Rickett's  and  Doubleday's,  which 
comprised  Hooker's  corps,  crossed  the  Antietam  at  a  ford 
and  the  upper  bridge,  and  advanced  to  attack  and,  if 
possible,  to  turn  the  enemy's  left.  Some  cavalry  and 
Cooper's  battery  accompanied  us,  and  after  moving 
about  a  mile,  we  turned  off  into  the  fields  to  the  left  of 
the  road,  near  the  house  of  D.  Miller,  advancing  slowly 
in  columns  of  divisions,  ready  to  form  to  resist  cavalry, 
which  threatened  our  flanks  and  front.  Soon  the  enemy 
opened,  sending  their  round  shot  and  shell  singing  in 
among  us,  to  which  Cooper  briskly  replied,  while  the 
infantry  advanced,  and  a  severe  contest  commenced,  in 
which  we  drove  the  enemy  from  the  first  strip  of  woods 
over  the  fields  to  the  second,  the  battle  lasting  until  eight 
o'clock,  and  the  Reserves  resting  upon  their  arms  on  the 
ground  won  from  the  enemy,  unassisted  by  the  other 
divisions  of  the  corps.  During  the  battle,  our  most 
estimable  and  gallant  adjutant,  Augustus  T.  Cross,  who, 
at  the  request  of  General  Seymour,  was  acting  on  his 
staff,  was  killed,  as  was  also  Colonel .  McNeil,  of  the 
"  Bucktails." 

During  the  night,  we  laid  in  support  of  Cooper's  bat 
tery,  which  continued  firing  until  after  nine  o'clock. 
Through  the  night,  shots  were  continually  exchanged 
between  ours  and  the  enemy's  pickets,  who  laid  within  a 
short  distance  of  each  other  in  the  second  woods,  and 
about  two  o'clock  in  the  morning,  the  "Bucktails,"  who 
were  determined  the  Reserves  should  have  the  honor  of 
opening  the  second  day's  fight,  as  they  had  the  first, 
opened  a  brisk  fire,  but  they  getting  short  of  ammunition, 
we  were  sent  to  relieve  them,  arriving  there  just  at  the 
grey  of  the  morning.  Deploying,  we  crept  on  our  bellies 
to  our  position,  and  opened  a  heavy  fire  upon  the  enemy, 


206  OUR   CAMPAIGNS.      • 

both  parties  "keeping  the  ground  and  maintaining  their 
positions.  Sometime  afterwards  the  whole  of  our  corps 
came  up,  and  the  battle  opened  in  earnest,  the  enemy 
being  driven  into  the  woods  and  pressed  hard  upon  the 
right  of  our  line.  The  contest  now  became  obstinate, 
and  as  the  troops  advanced  the  opposition  became  more 
determined  and  the  number  of  the  enemy  greater,. 
General  Hooker  then  ordered  up  General  Mansfield's 
corps,  which  had.  crossed  the  Antietam  during  the  night, 
and  bivouacked  about  a  mile  in  our  rear.  General  Wil 
liams'  division  was  deployed  to  the  right,  with  its  right 
brigade  under  General  Crawford,  right  resting  on  the 
Hagerstown  pike.  The  second  division,  under  General 
Green,  joining  Williams'  left.  During  the  deployment, 
the  gallant  veteran  Mansfield  fell  mortally  wounded, 
while  examining  the  ground  in  front  of  his  troops. 

The  One-hundred-and-twenty-fourth  Pennsylvania 
Volunteers  were  pushed  across  the  turnpike  into  the 
woods,  beyond  J.  Miller's  house,  with  orders  to  hold  the 
position  as  long  as  possible. 

The  command  of  this  corps  now  devolved  upon  Gene 
ral  Williams,  and  its  line  of  battle  was  formed,  and  it 
became  engaged  about  seven  A.  M.,.  the  attack  being 
opened  by  Knap's  and  Hampton's  Pennsylvania,  and 
Cothran's  New  York  batteries.  To  meet  this  attack,  the 
enemy  had  pushed  a  strong  column  of  troops  into  the 
open  fields'  in  front  of  the  turnpike,  while  he  occupied 
the  woods  on  the  west  of  the  pike  in  strong  force.  The 
woods  were  traversed  by  out- cropping  ledges  of  rock. 
Several  hundred  yards  to  the  right  and  rear  was  a  hill, 
which  commanded  the  debouche  of  the  woods,  and  in 
the  fields  between  was  a  long  line  of  stone  fences,  con 
tinued  by  breastworks  or  rails,  which  covered  the  enemy's 
infantry  from  our  musketry.  The  same  woods  formed  a 
screen,  behind  which  his  movements  were  concealed,  and 
his  batteries  on  the  hill,  and  the  rifle-works  covered  from 
the  fire  of  our  artillery  in  front. 

For  about  two  hours  the  battle  raged  with  varied  sue- 


THE   BATTLE   OF  ANTIETAM.  207 

cess,  the  enemy  endeavoring  to  drive  our  troops  into 
the  second  line -of  woods,  and  ours  in  turn  to  get  posses 
sion  of  the  line  in  front. 

Oar  troops  ultimately  succeeded  in  forcing  the  enemy 
back  into  the  woods,  near  the  pike,  General  Green,  with 
his  two  brigades,  crossing  into  the  woods  to  the  left  of 
>the  Bunker  Church.  During  this  conflict,  General  Craw 
ford  was  seriously  wounded  and  taken  from  the  field. 

General  Green  being  much  exposed,  the  Thirteenth 
New  Jersey,  Twenty-seventh  Indiana,  and  the  Third 
Maryland  were  sent  to  his  support,  with  a  section  of 
Knap's  battery. 

About  nine  o'clock,  A.  M.,  General  Sedgwick's  divi 
sion  of  General  Sumner's  corps  arrived.  On  nearing  the 
scene  of  action,  the  column  was  formed  in  three  parallel 
lines  by  brigade,  and  moved  upon  the  field  of  battle, 
under  fire  from  the  enemy's  concealed  batteries.  Pass 
ing  diagonally  to  the  front  across  the  open  space  and  to 
the  front  of  the  first  division  of  General  Williams'  Corps, 
this  latter  division  withdrew. 

Entering  the  woods  on  the  west  of  the  pike,  and  driving 
the  enemy  before  them,  the  first  line  was  met  by  a  heavy 
fire  of  musketry  and  shell  from  the  enemy's  breastworks 
and  batteries ;  meantime  a  heavy  column  of  the  enemy 
had  succeeded  in  crowding  back  the  troops  of  General 
Green's  division,  and  appeared  in  rear  of  the  left  of  Sedg 
wick's  division.  General  Howard  faced  the  third  line 
to  the  rear,  preparatory  to  a  change  of  front,  to  meet  the 
column  advancing  on  the  left ;  but  this  line  suffered  so 
severely  from  a  destructive  fire,  both  in  front  and  on  its 
left,  which  it  was  unable  to  return,  gave  way  towards 
the  right  and  rear s.  in  considerable  confusion,  and  was 
soon  followed  by  the  first  and  second  lines. 

General  Gorman's  brigade,  which  constituted  the  first 
line,  and  one  of  General  Dana's,  soon  rallied  and  checked 
the  advance  of  the  enemy  on  the  right.  The  second 
and  third  lines  now  formed  on  the  left  of  Gorman's 
brigade,  and  poured  a  destructive  fire  upon  the  enemy. 


208  OUR   CAMPAIGNS. 

During  Sedgwick's  attack,  General  Sumner  ordered 
General  Williams  to  support  him.  General  Gordon,  with 
a  portion  of  his  brigade,  moved  forward,  but  when  he 
reached  the  woods,  the  left  of  General  Sedgwick's  divi 
sion  had  given  way ;  and  finding  himself  opposed  to  a 
superior  force,  he  withdrew  to  the  rear  of  the  batteries, 
at  the  second  line  of  woods.  As  Gordon's  troops  un 
masked  our  batteries  on  the  left,  they  opened  with 
canister,  and  the  enemy  unable  to  withstand  their  deadly 
fire  in  front,  and  the  musketry  fire  from  the  right,  they 
were  driven  back  with  great  slaughter,  behind  the  woods 
and  rocks  beyond  the  turnpike. 

During  this  assault,  Generals  Sedgwick  and  Dana  were 
seriously  wounded  and  taken  from  the  field.  General 
Howard  assumed  command  of  Sedgwick's  division. 

About  the  time  of  General  Sedgwick's  advance,  Gene 
ral  Hooker,  while  gallantly  urging  on  his  men,  was 
severely  wounded  in  the  foot,  and  General  Meade  was 
placed  in  command  of  our  corps. 

Upon  the  repulse  of  Sedgwick,  on  our  right,  the  battle 
in  our  front  became  more  desperate,  the  woods  resound 
ing  with  one  continuous  roar  of  musketry,  and  the  line 
of  {lame  and  smoke  swaying  to  nnd  fro.  Already  had 
Captain  Mealey  been  taken  from  the  field,  severely 
wounded,  and  the  gallant  Lieutenant  Wimpfheimer 
fallen.  The  regiment  on  our  right  had  given  way,  the 
enemy  were  pressing  us  hard,  forcing  back  our  right 
flank  and  curving  us  into  a  semi-circle,  but  steadily  our 
boys  stood  their  ground,  pouring  into  the  enemy  a  con 
stant  fire,  before  which  their  advance  withered  away. 
General  Seymour  was  there  cheering  us  on,  and  General 
Hartsuff,  of  our  corps,  was  wounded  in  our  ranks,  but 
notwithstanding  the  gallant  efforts  of  the  officers  and 
heroically  brave  conduct  of  the  men,  we  were  over 
powered  by  superior  numbers  and  forced  back.  But  no 
rout — no  precipitate  retreat — but  steadily  and  in  good 
order,  the  brave  men  delivered  their  fire  upon  the  ad 
vancing  foe ;  and  though  we  were  retiring,  our  flag 


THE   BATTLE   OF  -ANTIETAM.  209 

flaunted  proudly  over  our  heads.  At  this  time,  unex 
pectedly,  a  column  of  the  enemy  suddenly  opened  upon 
us,  from  the  right,  a  deafening  crash  of  musketry,  before 
which  our  little  band  was  swept  away,  and  breaking,  we 
were  driven  over  the  field  in  confusion,  but  reaching  a 
favorable  position,  Captain  Byrnes,  who  had  acted 
throughout  with  conspicuous  bravery,  rallied  the  men. 
once  more  around  the  standard  and  reformed  the  regi 
ment.  Though  weakened  and  exhausted  with  over  six. 
hours  hard  fighting,  the  wearied  limbs  and  brave  hearts 
of  the  men  sought  not  repose.  The  Eeserves  had  not 
yet  been  defeated,  nor  did  they  intend  to  be,  for  as  long 
as  there  are  brave  men  to  stand  by  the  colors,  there  is 
hope  of  victory. 

The  batteries  of  the  Eeserves  were  pushed  forward  in 
front  of  the  first  line  of  woods  to  our  right,  and  opened 
a  murderous  fire  of  case-shot  and  canister  that  swept  the 
advancing  foe  back,  and  again  the  Reserves  charged  with 
loud  cheers  over  the  ploughed  field  into  the  cornfield 
and  the  woods  beyond,  where  the  hardest  and  deadliest 
struggles  of  the  day  took  place.  Some  times  pressed 
hard,  we  were  forced  back,  and  at  others  the  foe  yielded 
to  our  charge.  But  as  the  battle  wore  on,  out  of  the 
woods  came  sudden  heavy  and  terrible  volleys  from 
fresh  troops,  that  with  their  weight  of  fire  bent  and  bore 
down  to  the  ground  the  front,  forcing  back  our  shattered 
lines,  that  slowly  and  sullenly  retired  to  the  woods  where 
our  lines  were  formed  to  meet  the  foe,  whom  we  again 
hurled  back. 

While  the  conflict  was  so  obstinately  raging  in  our 
front  and  on  the  right,  General  French  was  engaged  with 
the  enemy  further  to  the  left.  His  division  was  formed 
in  three  columns,  General  Max  Weber's  brigade  in  front, 
Colonel  Dwight  Morris'  of  raw  troops  next,  and  General 
Kimball's  brigade  last.  The  division  advanced  under  a 
heavy  artillery  fire,  and  driving  in  the  enemy's  skirmish 
ers,  encountered  their  infantry  at  the  group  of  houses  on 
Roulette's  farm,  and  drove  them  from  their  position. 

14 


210  OUR  CAMPAIGNS. 

While  General  Weber  was  hotly  engaged  with  his  brig 
ade,  General  French  ordered  the  brigade  of  Kimball  to 
tHe  front,  and  passing  to  the  left  of  Weber,  they  drove 
the  enemy  back  to  near  the  crest  of  a  hill,  where  he  was 
encountered  in  greater  strength  in  a  sunken  road,  form 
ing  a  natural  rifle-pit.  In  a  cornfield  in  rear  of  this  road 
were  also  strong  bodies  of  the  enemy.  As  Kimball's 
line  reached  the  crest  of  the  hill,  a  galling  fire  was 
opened  on  it  from  the  sunken  road  and  cornfield.  Here 
a  terrible  fire  of  musketry  burst  from  both  lines,  and  the 
battle  raged  with  great  slaughter. 

The  enemy  attempted  to  turn  the  left  of  the  line,  but 
were  gallantly  repulsed  by  the  One  hundred  and  thirty- 
second  Pennsylvania  and  Seventh  Virginia  Volunteers. 
Foiled  in  this,  they  assaulted  the  front,  but  we/e  charged 
and  driven  back  with  severe  loss  and  three  hundred 
prisoners,  and  several  stands  of  colors  captured.  They 
having  been  repulsed  with  severe  loss  on  the  extreme 
right,  they  now  attempted  to  assist  the  attack  on  French's 
division  by  assailing  him  on  his  right  to  turn  his  flank, 
but  they  were  met  and  checked  by  the  Fourteenth  In 
diana  and  Eighth  Ohio  Volunteers,  and  by  canister  from 
Captain  Tompkin's  battery  First  Rhode  Island  artillery. 
Having  been  under  an  almost  continuous  fire  for  nearly 
four  hours,  and  the  ammunition  nearly  expended,  the 
division  now  took  position  immediately  below  the  crest 
of  the  heights  on  which  they  had  so  gallantly  fought,  the 
enemy  making  no  attempt  to  regain  their  lost  ground. 

On  the  left  of  General  French,  General  Eichardson's 
division  was  hotly  engaged.  They  advanced  in  line  with 
General  Meagher's  brigade  on  the  right,  General  Cald- 
well's  on  the  left,  and  Colonel  Brooks'  in  support.  They 
moved  steadily,  and  soon  became  engaged  with  the 
enemy  posted  to  the  left  and  in  front  of  Roulette's  house. 
Pressing  on  under  a  heavy  fire  to  the  crest  of  the  hill, 
they  found  the  enemy  posted  in  a  continuation  of  the 
sunken  road  and  cornfield  before  referred  to.  Here  the 
brave  Irish  brigade  opened  upon  the  enemy  a  terrible 


THE  BATTLE   OF  ANTIETAM.  211 

musketry  fire.  After  suffering  terribly  in  officers  and 
men,  and  strewing  the  ground  with  the  enemy  as  they 
drove  them  back,  their  ammunition  nearly  expended, 
and  their  commander,  General  Meagher,  disabled  by  the 
fall  of  his  horse  shot  under  him,  the  brigade  was  ordered 
to  give  place  to  General  Caldwell's,  which  advanced  to  a 
short  distance  in  its  rear.  The  lines  were  passed  by 
Meagher's  brigade  breaking  by  company  to  the  rear, 
and  General  Caldwell's  by  company  to  the  front  as 
steadily  as  on  drill. 

The  ground  over  which  Generals  Richardson's  and 
French's  division  were  fighting,  was  very  irregular,  in 
tersected  by  numerous  ravines,  hills  covered  with  grow 
ing  corn,  inclosed  by  stone  walls,  behind  which  the 
enemy  could  advance  unobserved  upon  any  exposed 
point  of  our  lines.  Taking  advantage  of  this,  the  enemy 
attempted  to  gain  the  right  of  Richardson's  position  in 
a  cornfield  near  Roulette's  house,  where  the  division  had 
become  separated  from  that  of  General  French's.  A 
change  of  front  by  the  Fifty  Second  New  York  and  Sec 
ond  Delaware  Volunteers  of  Richardson's  division,  and 
the  attack  made  by  the  Fifty-third  Pennsylvania  volun 
teers  sent  further  to  the  right  to  close  this  gap  in  the 
line,  and  the  movement  of  the  One  hundred  and  thirty- 
second  Pennsylvania  and  Seventh  Virginia  Volunteers  of 
French's  division,  before  referred  to,  drove  the  enemy 
from  the  cornfield  and  restored  the  line. 

The  brigade  of  Caldwell,  with  determined  gallantry, 
pushed  the  enemy  back  opposite  the  left  and  centre  of 
Richardson's  division,  but  sheltered  in  the  sunken  road, 
they  still  held  our  forces  on  the  right  of  Caldwell  in 
check.  Colonel  Barlow,  commanding  the  Sixty -first  and 
Sixty-fourth  New  York  regiments,  seeing  a  favorable 
opportunity,  advanced  the  regiments  on  the  left,  taking 
the  enemy  in  the  sunken  road  in  flank,  and  compelling 
them  to  surrender,  capturing  over  three  hundred  prison 
ers  and  three  stands  of  colors.  The1  whole  brigade,  with 
the  Fifty-seventh  and  Sixty-sixth  New  York  regiments, 


212  OUR   CAMPAIGNS. 

of  Colonel  Brooks'  brigade,  who  had  joined  Caldwell's, 
now  advanced  with  gallantry,  driving  the  enemy  before 
them  in  confusion  into  the  corn-field  beyond  the  sunken 
road.  The  left  of  Kichardson's  division  was  now  well 
advanced,  when  the  enemy,  concealed  by  an  intervening 
ridge,  endeavored  to  turn  its  left  and  rear. 

Colonel  Cross,  Fifth  New  Hampshire,  by  a  change  of 
front  to  the  left  and  rear,  brought  his  regiment  facing 
the  advancing  line.  Here  a  spirited  charge  arose  to  gain 
a  commanding  height,  the  opposing  forces  moving  paral 
lel  to  each  other,  giving  and  receiving  fire.  The  Fifth 
gained  the  advantage,  faced  to  the  right  and  delivered 
its  volley.  The  enemy  staggered,  but  rallied  and  ad 
vanced  desperately  at  a  charge.  Being  reinforced  by 
the  Eighty-first  Pennsylvania,  these  regiments  met  the 
advance  by  a  counter-charge.  The  enemy  fled,  leaving 
many  killed,  wounded,  and  prisoners,  and  the  colors  of 
the  Fourth  North  Carolina,  in  our  hands. 

Another  column  of  the  enemy,  advancing  under  shelter 
of  a  stone  wall  and  corn-field,  pressed  down  on  the  right 
of  the  division  ;  but  Colonel  Barlow  again  advanced  the 
Sixty-first  and  Sixty-fourth  New  York  against  them, 
and  with  the  attack  of  Kimball's  brigade,  of  French's 
division,  on  the  right,  drove  them  from  this  position. 

Our  troops  on  the  left  of  this  part  of  the  line  having 
driven  the  enemy  far  back,  they,  with  reinforced  num 
bers,  made  a  determined  attack  in  front.  To  meet  this, 
Colonel  Barlow  brought  his  two  regiments  to  their  posi 
tion  in  line,  and  drove  the  enemy  through  the  corn-field 
into  the  orchard  beyond,  under  a  heavy  fire  of  musketry, 
and  a  fire  of  canister  from  two  pieces  of  artillery  in  the 
orchard,  and  a  battery  further  to  the  right,  throwing 
shell  and  case-shot.  This  advance  gave  us  possession  of 
Piper's  house,  the  strong  point  contended  for  by  the 
enemy  at  this  part  of  the  line,  it  being  a  defensible  build 
ing  several  hundred  yards  in  advance  of  the  sunken 
road.  The  infantry  fighting  at  this  point  of  the  line  now 
ceased.  Holding  Piper's  house,  General  Richardson 


THE   BATTLE  OF  ANTIETAM.  213 

withdrew  the  line  a  little  way  to  the  crest  of  a  hill,  a 
more  advantageous  position.  Up  to  this  time  the  divi 
sion  was  without  artillery,  and  in  the  new  position 
suffered  severely  from  artillery  fire,  which  it  could  not 
reply  to.  A  section  of  Captain  Robertson's  horse  battery 
now  arived  and  opened,  and  soon  after  Captain  Graham's 
battery  took  position  on  the  crest  of  the  hill,  and  silenced 
the  guns  in  the  orchard.  Graham's  battery,  however, 
being  smooth-bores,  was  unable  to  reach  a  rifled  battery 
of  the  enemy,  of  greater  range,  further  to  the  right,  and 
was  forced  to  retire.  General  Eichardson  was  here  mort 
ally  wounded. 

General  Hancock  was  placed  in  command  of  the  divi 
sion  after  the  fall  of  General  Eichardson.  Meagher's 
brigade,  now  commanded  by  Colonel  Burk,  having 
refilled  their  cartridge-boxes,  again  advanced  and  took 
position  in  the  centre  of  the  line.  The  division  now 
formed  one  line  of  battle  in  close  proximity  to  the 
enemy,  and  Colonel.  Morris,  with  the  Fourteenth  Con 
necticut  and  a  detachment  of  the  One-hundred-and-eighth 
New  York,  was  sent  by  General  French  to  reinforce 
them,  and  were  placed  in  an  interval  in  the  line  between 
Caldwell's  and  Burk's  brigades.  Hancock's  division, 
though  suffering  severely  from  the  enemy's  artillery,  was 
able  to  hold  its  position,  but  not  to  attack  the  enemy's 
artillery,  as  it  was  too  weak  to  form  a  second  line  of 
battle,  and  was,  by  its  advanced  position,  enfiladed  by 
the  enemy's  batteries  on  the  right. 

With  the  exception  of  some  minor  fighting  and  the 
repulse  of  a  heavy  line  of  infantry  by  General  Pleasanton 
with  sixteen  guns,  the  operations  on  this  portion  of  the 
field  closed. 

About  noon  General  Franklin's  Corps  arrived  having 
left  Crampton's  Pass  at  six  A.  M.  It  was  at  first  deter 
mined  to  hold  them  in  reserve,  but  the  right  under 
Sumner  and  Meade  being  hardly  pressed  it  was  at  once 
sent  to  their  relief.  On  nearihg  the  field,  finding  that 
battery  A,  Fourth  United  States  Artillery,  was  hotly 


214  OUR   CAMPAIGNS. 

engaged  without  support,  two  regiments  were  sent  to 
its  relief.  Afterwards  the  remaining  regiments  of  Han 
cock's  brigade  with  Captains  Frank's  and  Cowen's  bat 
teries  were  also  sent  there.  Finding  the  enemy  still 
advancing,  the  Third  brigade  of  Smith's  division  com 
manded  by  Colonel  Irwin,  Forty-ninth  Pennsylvania 
Volunteers  was  ordered  up,  and  drove  back  the  advance 
until  abreast  of  the  Dunker  Church.  As  the  right  of 
the  brigade  came  opposite  the  woods  it  received  a  de 
structive  fire,  which  checked  the  advance  and  threw  the 
brigade  somewhat  into  confusion.  It  formed  again  behind 
a  rise  of  ground  in  the  open  space  in  advance  of  the 
batteries. 

General  French  having  reported  to  General  Franklin 
that  his  ammunition  was  nearly  expended,  General 
Brooks,  with  his  brigade  was  ordered  to  reinforce  him. 
The  brigade  was  formed  on  the  right  of  General  French, 
where  they  remained  during  the  remainder  of  the  day 
and  night,  frequently  under  the  fire  of  the  enemy's 
artillery. 

The  advance  of  General  Franklin's  Corps  was  oppor 
tune.  The  attack  of  the  enemy  on  this  position,  but  for 
the  timely  arrival  of  his  Corps,  must  have  been  disas 
trous,  had  it  succeeded  in  piercing  the  line  between 
General  Sedgwick's  and  French's  divisions. 

General  Porter's  Corps  was  stationed  on  the  east  side 
of  the  Antietam  upon  the  main  turnpike  leading  to 
Sharpsburg,  and  opposite  the  centre  of  the  enemy's  lines 
to  act  in  case  the  enemy  should  attempt  to  pierce  the 
centre  and  turn  our  rear,  as  well  as  capture  or  destroy 
our  supply  trains. 

Towards  the  middle  of  the  afternoon,  General  McClel- 
lan  found  that  Sumner's,  Meade's  and  Mansfield's  Corps 
had  met  with  serious  losses,  that  several  general  officers 
had  been  carried  from  the  field  severely  wounded,  and 
the  aspect  of  affairs  was  anything  but  promising.  Orders 
were  given  to  reinforce  this  portion  of  the  line  with  two 
brigades  from  Porter's  Corps,  and  to  renew  the  attack, 


THE   BATTLE    OF   ANTIETAM.  215 

but  General  Sumner  expressed  the  most  decided  opinion 
against  another  attempt  that  day  to  assault  the  enemy's 
position  in  front.  In  view  of  these  circumstances,  the 
different  commanders  were  directed  to  hold  their 
positions,  and  the  orders  to  Porter's  brigades  were  coun 
termanded. 

General  Slocum's  division  replaced  a  portion  of  Sum- 
ner's  troops,  and  batteries  were  placed  in  positions  in 
front  of  the  woods.  The  enemy  opened  with  several 
heavy  fires  of  artillery  on  our  troops  after  this,  but  our 
batteries  soon  silenced  them. 

In  the  morning,  General  Pleasanton,  with  his  cavalry 
division  and  the  horse  batteries,  under  Captains  Robert- 
son,  Tidball,  Gibson,  and  Lieutenant  Haines,  was  ordered 
to  cross  the  bridge  on  the  Keedysville  and  Sharpsburg 
turnpike  and  advance  towards  the  latter  place,  and  sup 
port  the  left  of  General  Summer's  line.  The  bridge  being 
covered  by  a  fire  of  artillery  and  sharpshooters,  cavalry 
skirmishers  were  thrown  out,  and  Captain  Tidball  s 
battery  advanced  by  piece  and  drove  off  the  enemy  with 
canister  sufficiently  to  establish  the  other  batteries,  which 
opened  on  the  enemy  with  effect.  The  firing  was  kept 
up  for  about  two  hours,  when,  the  enemy's  fire  slacken 
ing,  the  batteries  were  relieved  by  Randall's  and  Van 
Reed's.  About  three  o'clock,  Tidball,  Robertson  and 
Haines  returned  to  their  positions  on  the  west  of  Antie- 
tam,  and  did  good  service,  concentrating  their  fire  on 
the  column  of  the  enemy  about  to  attack  General  Han 
cock's  position,  and  compelling  it  to  find  shelter  behind 
the  hills  in  the  rear.  The  batteries  under  Pleasanton 
were  supported  by  five  battalions  of  United  States 
infantry  who  acted  with  great  gallantry. 

General  Burnside's  Corps  held  the  left  on  the  line 
opposite  the  bridge  on  the  Rohrersville  and  Sharpsburg 
road,  and  as  it  was  intended  the  attack  on  the  right 
should  be  supported  by  an  attack  on  the  left,  General 
McClellan  ordered  him  at  eight  o'clock  to  carry  the 
bridge,  gain  possession  of  the  heights  beyond,  and  to 


216  OUK   CAMPAIGNS. 

advance  along  their  crest  upon  Sharpsburg  and  its  rear. 
After  much  delay,  the  bridge  was  carried  about  one 
o'clock,  by  a  brilliant  charge  of  the  Fifty-first  Pennsyl 
vania  and  Fifty-first  New  York  Volunteers.  Other  troops 
were  then  thrown  over  and  the  opposite  bank  occupied, 
but  for-  some  reason  a  halt  was  ordered,  and  it  was  three 
o'clock  before  the  advance  resumed,  when  they  gallantly 
charged  driving  the  enemy  from  their  guns,  handsomely 
,  carrying  the  heights  and  a  portion  of  them  even  reaching 
the  outskirts  of  Sharpsburg.  By  this  time  it  was  nearly 
dark,  and  strong  reinforcements  just  then  reaching  the 
enemy  from  Harper's  Ferry,  attacked  General  Burnside's 
troops  on  their  left  flank,  and  forced  them  to  retire  to  a 
lower  line  of  hills  near  the  bridge. 

General  McClellan,  in  his  report,  blames  Burnside  for 
unnecessary  delay,  and  says :  "  If  this  important  move 
ment  had  been  consummated  two  hours  earlier,  a  posi 
tion  would  have  been  secured  upon  the  heights,  from 
which  our  batteries  might  have  enfiladed  the  greater 
part  of  the  enemy's  line,  and  turned  their  right  and  rear; 
our  victory  might  thus  have  been  much  more  decisive." 

During  the  afternoon  the  Keserves  were  withdrawn 
from  the  woods  and  put  in  position  behind  the  first  line 
in  an  open  field,  giving  place  to  fresh  troops.  This  was 
necessary,  as  their  ammunition'  was  entirely  expended 
and  they  had  been  upon  the  field  for  nearly  twenty-four 
hours,  and  suffered  severely. 

Thus  terminated  the  long  and  desperately  fought  bat 
tle  of  Antietarn,  in  which  for  fourteen  hours  nearly  two 
hundred  thousand  men  and  five  hundred  pieces  of  artil 
lery  were  engaged.  The  position  occupied  by  the  enemy 
was  selected  by  their  commander,  General  Lee,  a  most 
experienced  engineer.  They  were  driven  from  it  on  one 
flank,  and  a  lodgement  was  effected  within  it  on  the 
other.  Our  soldiers  slept  that  night  conquerors  on  the 
field  won  by  their  valor.* 

*  See  Appendix  A. 


THE   BATTLE   OF  ANTIETAM.  217 

The  loss  of  the  division  was  six  hundred  and  one, 
officers  and  men,  and  of  the  army  twelve  thousand  four 
hundred  and  sixty-nine.  Almost  one-third  more  of  the 
enemy's  dead  were  counted  and  buried  upon  the  field  by 
our  own  men  than  we  lost.  This  is  conclusive  evidence 
that  the  enemy  sustained  much  greater  loss  than  we. 

Thirteen  guns,  thirty -nine  colors,  upwards  of  fifteen 
thousand  stand  of  small  arms,  and  more  than  six  thou 
sand  prisoners  were  the  trophies  we  captured. 

General  Meade  received  a  contusion  from  a  spent 
grape-shot,  and  had  two  horses  killed  under  him. 

Captain  Byrnes  and  Lieutenant  Koss  acted  with  con 
spicuous  bravery,  and  the  conduct  of  the  non-commis 
sioned  officers  and  men  is  deserving  of  all  praise.  All 
the  companies  with  the  exception  of  one  were  left  with 
out  officers.  Never  on  any  field  did  the  men  display 
more  courage,  discipline  and  self-reliance.  Not  one 
shirked,  lagged  or  faltered,  but  all  seemed  determined, 
as  they  expressed  it,  to  see  what  they  could  do  on  their 
own  hook.  Never  for  one  moment  during  both  day's 
fight,  did  their  lines  falter  or  break,  or  sh'ow  any  more 
irregularity  than  is  incidental  to  all  fields,  excepting 
upon  the  occasion ,  alluded  to,  when  they  were  borne 
down  by  the  weight  of  fire. 

When  we  broke  and  were  driven  across  the  field,  a 
chicken  was  scared  up,  which  displayed  equal  alacrity 
with  the  men  in  its  flight  to  the  rear,  and  a  most  ani 
mated  race  for  life  or  death  took  place  between  them, 
but  the  Sergeant-rnajor  seizing  a  favorable  opportunity 
threw  himself  upon  the  ground  and  captured  the  prize, 
which  furnished  a  most  sumptuous  repast. 

On  the  18th  the  attack  on  the  enemy  was  not  renewed, 
as  the  troops  were  much  exhausted  by  the  severe  and 
protracted  battle,  together  with  the  long  day  and  night 
inarches  which  they  had  been  subjected  to  during  the 
previous  three  days.  They  were  in  need  of  rations,  wnich 
could  not  be  supplied  to  them  until  late  in  the  day,  and 
inuny  of  them  had  suffered  from  hunger.  A  large  num- 


218  OUR  CAMPAIGNS. 

ber  of  the  heaviest  and  most  efficient  batteries  had 
expended  all  their  ammunition,  and  it  was  impossible  to 
supply  them  until  near  night.  The  infantry  were  also 
short  of  ammunition.  Besides  this,  reinforcements  to 
the  number  of  'fourteen  thousand  men,  and  the  whole 
Pennsylvania  militia  under  General  Reynolds  were  ex 
pected  during  the  day ;  therefore,  the  day  was  spent  in 
collecting  the  dispersed,  giving  rest  to  the  fatigued, 
removing  the  wounded,  burying  the  dead,  and  prepar 
ing  for  a  renewal  of  the  battle. 

By  night  almost  all  the  wounded  were  collected  in 
and  around  the  different  farm  houses  and  buildings, 
where  equal  attention  and  kindness  was  shown  to  our 
own  and  the  enemy's.  Rude  tables  were  put  up,  on 
which  .the  operations  were  performed,  and  from  which 
dripped  the  blood,  while  near  by  them  were  the  ampu 
tated  arms  and  legs.  The  wounded  laid  near  these  gazing 
at  the  sight,  and  patiently  awaiting  their  turn  to  be 
lifted  upon  the  tables,  around  which 'the  surgeons  stood 
with  their  ^leeves  rolled  up,  performing  their  operations 
with  perfect  coolness  and  se-eming  indifference.  If  a 
surgeon  was  to  permit  the  feelings  of  sympathy  to  enter 
his  heart,  it  might  unnerve  him  and  prove  fatal  to  the 
poor  sufferer.  Where  there  are  thousands  of  cases  which 
require  immediate  attention,  and  which  it  will  take  the 
limited  number  of  surgeons  several  days  to  attend  to, 
the  individual  is  overlooked  for  the  good  of  the  mass. 
When  the  probabilities  are  strongly  against  saving  a 
man,  he  is  not  operated  uppn,  but  made  as  easy  as  circum 
stances  will  admit,  and  the  same  principle  is  applied  to 
the  saving  or  losing  of  a  limb.  This  is  an  imperative 
necessity  that  the  exigency  of  the  occasion  requires. 
After  the  operations  were  got  through  with,  the  patients 
were  laid  on  straw  or  hay  in  the  buildings  or  on  the 
grass  in  rows,  and  over  them  were  stretched  blankets 
to  protect  them  from  the  rays  of  the  sun.  Water,  food, 
and  stimulants  were  distributed  to  them  by  the  nurses, 
and  the  stretcher-men  removed  and  buried  those  that 
died. 


ADVANCE  TO  THE   POTOMAC.  219 

Large  numbers  of  farmers  of  Maryland  and  Pennsyl 
vania  visited  the  hospitals,  bringing  with  them  bread, 
cakes,  pies,  cooked  , poultry,  milk,  etc.,  which  they  dis 
tributed  to  the  wounded,  and  every  one  of  them  appeared 
proud  to  get  a  soldier  to  take  home  with  him  to  nurse. 

Adjutant  Cross  and  Lieutenant  Wimpfheimer  were 
buried  in  the  village  church  yard,  at  Keedysville.  The 
Adjutant  was  subsequently  removed  to  Philadelphia,  and 
over  Wimpfheimer  was  placed  a  handsome  stone. 

In  the  latter  part  of  the  day,  as  the  enemy  were  pass 
ing  troops  from  the  Virginia  shore,  our  division  was 
ordered  into  line,  it  being  presumed  they  meditated  some 
offensive  movement,  but  during  the  night,  they  appeared 
to  have  altered  their  intentions,  and  abandoning  their 
position  retreated  across  the  river,  accomplishing  the 
movement  before  daylight. 

When  our  cavalry  advance  reached  the  river  early  on 
the  morning  of  the  19th,  it  was  discovered  that  nearly  all 
the  enemy's  forces  had  crossed  into  Virginia  during  the 
night,  their  rear  escaping  under  cover  of  eight  batteries, 
placed  in  strong  positions  upon  the  elevated  bluffs  on 
the  opposite  bank.  The  whole  army  was  moved  forward 
to  occupy  a  new  position  nearer  the  river,  our  division 
marching  early  in  the  morning  to  the  front  and  right, 
about  three  miles,  crossing  the  Hagerstown  and  Sharps- 
burg  turnpike,  and  halting  near  the  Potomac,  above 
Sharpsburgh. 

Our  route  took  us  over  and  along  the  enemy's  line  of 
battle,  and  we  found  the  fields  and  woods  literally  covered 
with  their  dead.  At  one  point,  where  they  had  crossed 
the  fields  and  pike  obliquely,  and  where  they  must  have 
received  a  terrific  fire  of  musketry,  the  formation  of 
their  lines  was  distinctly  marked  by  their  dead,  who 
were  stretched  in  long  rows,  showing  at  the  time  they 
received  the  fire,  they  were  well  dressed.  The  effect  of 
this  fire  must  have  been"  crushing,  none  of  their  dead 
laying  in  front  of  their  line,  though  to  the  rear,  the 
ground  was  covered  with  them. 


220  OUR   CAMPAIGNS. 

General  Griffin,  with  a  detachment  from  his  own  and 
Barnes's  brigade,  of  the  .Fifth  Corps,  was  ordered  to  cross 
the  river  at  dark,  and  carry  the  enemy's  batteries,  which 
was  gallantly  done  under  a  heavy  fire;  several  guns, 
caisons,  etc.,  being  taken,  and  their  support  driven  back 
half  a  mile. 

From  information  obtained  during  the  progress  of  this 
affair,  it  was  conjectured  that  the  mass  of  the  enemy  had 
retreated  on  the  Charlestown  and  Martinsburg  road, 
towards  Winchester.  To  verify  this,  and  to  ascertain 
how  far  the  enemy  had  retired,  General  Porter  was  au 
thorized  to  send  out  on  the  morning  of  the  20th,  a  recon 
noitring  party  in  great  force.  This  detachment  crossed 
the  river,  and  advanced  about  a  mile,  when  it  was  am 
bushed  by  a  large  body  of  the  enemy  lying  in  the  woods, 
and  driven  back  across  the  river  with  considerable  loss, 
which  showed  that  the  enemy  was  still  in  force  on  the 
Virginia  side  of  the  Potomac,  prepared  to  resist  our 
further  advance.  It  was  in  this  affair  that  the  One  Hun 
dred  and  Eighteenth  Pennsylvania  volunteers,  ("Corn 
Exchange  Eegiment,")  was  so  badly  cut  up. 

It  having  been  reported  that  the  enemy,  under  Gene 
ral  Stuart,  numbering  four  thousand  cavalry,  six  guns, 
and  ten  thousand  infantry,  had  crossed  the  Potomac  to 
the  Maryland  side,  at  William  sport,  General  McClellan 
sent  Couch,  with  his  division  and  a  part  of  Pleasanton's 
cavalry,  and  with  Franklin's  Corps  within  supporting 
distance,  to  endeavor  to  capture  them.  General  Couch 
made  a  prompt  and  rapid  march  to  Williamsport,  and 
attacked  the  enemy  vigorously,  but  they  made  their 
escape  across  the  river. 

On  the  20th  General  Williams'  corps  occupied  Mary 
land  Heights,  and  on  the  22d  General  Sumner  took  pos 
session  of  Harper's  Ferry. 

The  main  body  of  the  enemy  was  at  this  time  concen 
trated  near  Martinsburg  and  Bunker  Hill,  and  occupied 
itself  in  drafting  and  coercing  every  able-bodied  citizen 
into  the  ranks,  forcibly  taking  their  property,  where  it 


VISIT   OF  THE   PRESIDENT.  221 

was  not  voluntarily  offered,  burning  bridges  and  destroy 
ing  railroads. 

General  McClellan  not  feeling  it  prudent  to  cross  the 
river  in  pursuit  of  the  enemy,  stationed  his  army  along 
the  north  bank  in  position  to  cover  and  guard  the  fords, 
and  commenced  the  work  of  reorganizing,  re-equipping 
and  drilling. 

On  the  1st  of  October  His  Excellency  the  President 
visited  the  army  and  remained  several  days,  during 
which  he  went  through  the  different  encampments,  re 
viewed  the  troops,  visited  the  hospitals,  and  went  over 
the  battle-fields  of  South  Mountain  and  Antietam. 

On  the  10th,  General  Stuart  crossed  the-  upper  Poto 
mac  at  "McCoy's  Ferry,  with  two  thousand  cavalry  and  a 
battery  of  horse-artillery,  on  a  raid  into  Maryland  and 
Pennsylvania,  and  although  immediate  disposition  of 
troops  were  made  to  intercept  him,  from  the  orders  not 
being  carried  out,  he  was  enabled  to  escape,  recrossing 
the  river  at  White's  Ford  below  the  Monocacy. 


CHAPTER  XX. 

CROSSING  THE  POTOMAC.  MARCH  THROUGH  VIRGINIA.  WARREN- 
TON.  GENERAL  MCCLELLAN  SUPERCEDED.  REMOVAL  OP  GENE 
RAL  FITZ  JOHN  PORTER.  OUR  VIRGINIA  FRIENDS.  BOMBARD 
MENT  OF  FREDERICKSBURG.  LAYING  PONTOONS. 

ON  the  6th  General  McClellan  received  orders  to 
"cross  the  Potomac, and  give  battle  to  the  enemy,  or 
drive  him  south."  The  order  stated,  that  if  he  crossed 
between  the  enemy  and  Washington,  he  could  be  rein 
forced  to  the  extent  of  thirty  thousand  men ;  but  if  he 
moved  up  the  valley  of  the  Shenandoah,  not  more  than 
twelve  or  fifteen  thousand  could  be  sent  to  him.  It  was 
not,  however,  until  the  26th,  that  the  advance  guard  of 


222  OUR   CAMPAIGNS. 

the  army  crossed  the  Potomac.  On  that  day,  two  divi 
sions  of  the  Ninth  corps,  and  Pleasanton's  brigade  of 
cavalry,  crossed  at  Berlin.  The  First,  Sixth  and  Ninth 
corps,  the  cavalry,  and  the  reserve  artillery,  also  crossed 
there  between  the  26th  of  October  and  the  2d  of  Novem 
ber.  The  Second  and  Fifth  corps  crossed  at  Harper's 
Ferry,  between  the  29th  of  October  and  the  1st  of 
November. 

The  plan  of  campaign  adopted  by  General  McClellan 
was  to  move  the  army,  well  in  hand,  parallel  to  the  Blue 
Ridge,  taking  Warrenton  as  the  point  of  direction  for 
the  main  army ;  seizing  each  pass  on  the  Blue  Ridge  by 
detachments,  as  we  approached  it,  and  guarding  them 
after  we  had  passed,  as  long  as  they  would  enable  the 
enemy  to  trouble  our  connections  with  the  Potomac. 

Upon  the  death  of  Adjutant  Cross,  Lieutenant  John  J. 
Ross,  who  was  the  only  officer  with  the  regiment,  except 
ing  Captain  Byrnes,  was  appointed  Acting  Adjutant, 
until  the  return  of  Sergeant-Major  E.  M.  Woodward,  who 
had  been  promoted  Adjutant.  About  the  same  time,  Colo- 
nol  McCandless,  with  a  number  of  officers  and  men,  who 
had  recovered  from  their  wounds,  also  returned. 

Our  regiment  broke  camp  on  the  26th,  and  marched, 
during  a  heavy  rain-storm,  to  Berlin,  which  we  reached 
on  the  27th,  the  rain  continuing  all  night.  On  the  29th, 
we  crossed  the  river  on  the  pontoons,  and  encamped  near 
Lovettsville,  Virginia,  where  we  were  inspected  by 
General  Seymour,  and  mustered  for  pay  on  the  31st. 

On  the  first  of  November,  we  marched  through  Water- 
ford,  and  encamped  about  a  mile  from  Hamilton,  where 
we  laid  the  next  day.  While  here,  Lieutenant  H.  P. 
Kennedy,  Sergeant  James  McCormick  and  Corporal  A. 
McK.  Storrie  were  detailed  to  proceed  to  Harrisburg  to 
bring  on  drafted  men,  which  they  did  not  get. 

The  next  day,  at  noon,  the  division  marched,  and 
before  dark  we  passed  through  Philomont  and  bivouacked 
about  a  mile  beyond,  near  Snicker's  Gap,  on  a  field 
where  there  had  been  an  artillery  skirmish  in  the  morn- 


A  WEAKTSOME   MARCH.  223 

| 

ing,  the  ground  being  strewed  with  dead  horses,  shells, 
etc.  The  next  morning  early,  we  moved  about  a  mile  to 
Uniontown,  and  halted  there  until  three  P.  M.,  when  we 
marched  on,  passing  Franklin's  corps  and  Couch's  divi 
sion  at  their  bivouacs,  and  laid  for  the  night  on  a  high 
table  land.  That  night,  a  number  of  the  officers  and 
men  of  the  One-hundred  and-nineteenth,  Colonel  Ell- 
maker's,  and  the  Twenty-third,  Birney's  old  regiment, 
visited  us,  all  being  from  Philadelphia. 

\The  next  morning,  (the  5th,)  we  moved  at  seven 
o'clock,  in  a  southeasterly  direction,  fording  the  Panther- 
skin,  a  deep,  broad  creek,  and,  passing  through  Middle- 
burg,  halted  on  its  confines  for  dinner.  In  the  town,  we 
found  quite  a  large  number  of  wounded  "Greybacks" 
from  Bull  Eun,  with  whom  the  boys  conversed  freely. 
At  four  in  the  afternoon,  we  took  up  our  march  again, 
moving  slowly  and  tediously,  halting  continually,  some 
times  every  few  hundred  yards,  as  there  was  a  long 
wagon-train  ahead  of  us,  and  the  roads  were  exceedingly 
bad.  At  last,  long  after  dark,  we  passed  through  White 
Plains,  on  the  Manassas  Gap  Railroad,  and  moving  two 
miles  beyond,  were  halted,  and  then  countermarched 
nearly  a  mile  and  put  into  a  heavy  woods  to  bivouac. 
Hardly  had  the  boys  built  their  fires,  before  orders  came 
for  our  regiment  to  go  on  picket.  It  was  then  about 
midnight,  and  all  were  weary,  for  we  had  been  fourteen 
hours  marching  sixteen  miles,  but  as  orders  are  given  to 
be  obeyed,  we  consoled  ourselves  with  the  thought,  that 
"  there  is  no  rest  for  the  wicked,"  and  moved  off  about  a 
mile  to  the  front,  and  spent  the  balance  of  the  night 
watching  for  the  foe,  who  did  not  appear. 

The  next  morning  we  marched  into  camp,  and  imme 
diately  took  our  position  in  the  line,  and  moved  off 
towards  Warrenton,  the  infantry  keeping  on  the  fields  to 
leave  the  road  clear  for  the  artillery.  When  we  arrived 
within  three  miles  of  the  town,  at  the  gap  between  Water 
and  Pig-Nut  Mountains,  through  which  the  road  passed, 
our  regiment  being  in  advance,  we  were  deployed  as 


224  OUT*  CAMPAIGNS. 

skirmishers,   General    Eeynolds   supposing  the   enemy 
would  make  some  show  of  resistance  there.     Companies 
A,  B,  and  H,  under  the  command  of  Captain  McDonough, 
were  deployed  to  the  right  of  the  road  to  feel  the  woods 
for  the  enemy  ;  and  companies  I),  E  and  G,  under  Major 
Neicle,  to  the  left  for  the  same  purpose,  the  reserve,  con 
sisting  of  C  and  K,  following  close  in  the  rear.     The 
whole,  under  McCandless,  advanced  rapidly  through  the 
dense  underbrush  over  the  crest  of  the  mountains,  which 
being  found  clear  of  the  enemy,  they  reunited  beyond 
the  Gap;  our  regiment  then  advancing  upon  the  road, 
with  the  "  Bucktails"  on  our  right  and  the  First  on*  our 
left,  until  we  came  to  the  clear  ground,  when  the  flank 
ing  regiments  filed  into  the  road,  and  we  entered  the 
town  of  Warrenton  at  four  P.  M.   Of  course,  our  entrance 
was  not  received  by  the  inhabitants  with  the  joy  that  the 
entrance  of  their  friends,  the  "  Greybacks,"  would  have 
been,  the  female  portion  of  the  community  remaining  in 
their  houses,  and  those  of  the  men  who  showed  them 
selves,  looking  on  in.  silence.     Our  eyes,  however,  were 
gladdened  by  the  sight  of  sundry  Confederates  who  were 
captured,  and  who,  perhaps,  remained  behind  for  that 
purpose.     Moving  on  about  a  mile,  we  encamped  near 
the  ground  we  occupied  in  August  last,  a  few  days  pre 
ceding  the  second  battle  of  Bull  Run. 

Warrenton,  like  all  other  towns  we  occupied,  we  found 
completely  stripped  of  everything  in  the  way  of  food, 
clothing,  etc. :  the  chivalry  having  completely  cleaned  it 
out.  The  stores  were  all  closed  for  want  of  goods,  and 
business  of  all  kinds  was  suspended.  We  found  it  im 
possible  to  obtain  ^read,  or  any  other  article  of  food,  at 
any  price,  and  although  our  occupation  proved  a  great 
relief  to  the  inhabitants,  and  those  of  the  surrounding 
country,  in  obtaining  supplies,  we  were  not  welcomed. 

With  the  exception  of  a  violent  snow-storm,  nothing 
of  note  occurred- while  we  laid  at  this  camp,  until  the 
morning  of  .the  10th,  when  we  were  called  out  to  bid 
farewell  to  General  McClellan,  the  then  love  and  idol  of 


PLANS   OF   THE    CAMPAIGN.  225 

the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  who  had  been  relieved  of  his 
command,  and  superceded  by  General  Burnside.  His 
departure  -from  the  army  was  a  scene  never  to  be  for 
gotten ;  the  deafening  shouts  of  the  columns  he  had  so 
often  led  to  honor ;  the  caps  tossed  high  in  the  air  ;  tho 
tears,  those  true  tests  of  affection,  stealing  their  courses 
down  the  weather-beaten  cheeks  of  the  veterans  of  the 
Peninsula,  truly  told  the  deep  hold  he  had  upon  the 
hearts  of  the  men.  The  officers  of  some  of  the  regiments 
sent  in  their  resignations  in  a  body,  bat  their  generals 
returned  them,  with  a  gentle  admonition. 

General  Fitz  John  Porter  soon  after  was  relieved  of 
his  command  and  was  subsequently  dishonourably  dis 
missed  the  service,  by  sentence  of  a  court-martial,  for 
his  conduct  at  Bull  Run,  and  forever  prohibited  from 
occupying  any  position  of  honor  or  trust  under  the 
Government,  but  we  are  not  aware  of  there  being  any 
particular  amount  of  "  weeping  and  wailing  and  gnash 
ing  of  teeth"  at  the  event. 

It  is  not  clearly  known  to  the  author  what  plan  of 
campaign  General  McClellan  would  have  pursued  if  he 
had  continued  in  command  of  the  army,  though  it  is 
certain  he  at  one  time  contemplated  an  advance  on  Rich 
mond,  via  Culpeper  and  Gordonsville.  It  is  also  known 
that  he  gave  preparatory  orders  for  the  rebuilding  of 
the  wharves  and  the  Aquia*  Creek  Railroad,  which 
clearly  indicated  an  advance  via  Fredericksburg. 

The  plan  of  operations  proposed  by  General  Burnside 
was  to  throw  a  considerable  body  of  troops  across  the 
river  at  Rappahannock  Station,  and  make  a  feint  as  if 
to  advance  by  way  of  Culpeper,  and  then  by  a  rapid 
movement  down  the  north  bank  of  the  Rappahannock 
to  cross  the  river,  seize  and  fortify  the  heights  in  the 
rear  of  Fredericksburg,  and  advance  on  Richmond,  hold 
ing  the  railroad  as  his  line  of  communication.  This  plan 
was  approved  by  the  authorities  at  Washington  and  car 
ried  out  to  a  certain  extent  by  General  Burnside. 

At  eleven  o'clock   on  the  morning  of  the  llth,  our 

15 


226  OUR    CAMPAIGNS. 

division  moved  in  a  southwesterly  course  to  near  Fay- 
etteville,  about  two  miles  from  the  Rappahannock,  where 
we  arrived  a  little  before  dark  and  bivouacked  among 
some  scrub  oaks. 

The  next  day  our  regiment  went  on  picket  for  twenty- 
four  hours,  and  had  a  very  pleasant  time. 

On  the  16th,  General  Seymour,  at  his  own  request, 
was  relieved  of  the  command  of  our  brigade,  his  health 
not  permitting  him  to  undertake  a  winter  campaign. 
The  general  was  a  gallant  and  accomplished  officer,  a 
high  strung  and  honorable  gentleman,  and  as  he  had 
served  with  us  in  every  battle  up  to  Antietam,  we  parted 
from  him  with  regret. 

Colonel  William  Sinclair,  Sixth  Reserves,  superceded 
him  in  command  of  our  brigade. 

At  eight  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  the  17th,  during  a 
drizzling  rain,  we  took  up  our  march,  pursuing  a  gene 
ral  course  down  the  river,  passing  by  Bealton  Station, 
Morrisville,  the  Gold  mines,  and  Grove  Churches.  About 
dark,  and  it  soon  became  intensely  dark,  we  were  taken 
into  a  dense  woods  to  bivouac,  but  such  was  the  thick 
growth  of  underbrush  it  was  found  impossible  for  the 
men  to  advance,  and  we  were  "  about  faced"  and  marched 
out  again,  and  ordered  to  seek  a  position  somewhere  in  the 
neighborhood.  The  colonel  selected  a  hill  near  the 
head-quarters  of  General  Meade,  where  we  slept  soundly 
through  the  rain.  It  is  the  duty  of  the  staff  officer,  who 
selects  the  bivouac  ground  to  examine  it  and  see  if  it  is 
suitable,  which  was  not  done  in  this  instance. 

The  next  morning  we  moved  at  nine  o'clock  along 
the  fields  to  Hartwood,  where  we  took  the  road  to  Staf 
ford  Court  House.  About  noon  we  were  forced  to  halt, 
to  repair  the  road,  after  which  we  moved  on,  crossing 
Potomac  creek,  and  ascending  an  almost  perpendicular 
hill,  filled  with  deep  ruts  and  large  boulders,  which  re 
quired  the  united  teams  of  several  guns  to  haul  one 
piece  up  it.  The  men  toiled  on  manfully  through  the 
deep  mud,  for  it  had  been  raining  all  day.  Towards 


PICKETING.  227 

dark  we  bivouacked  on  the  banks  of  Occakeek  creek, 
three  miles  from  the  court  house. 

That  day  the  Fifth  Reserves  was  detached  from  our 
brigade,  and  put  into  the  Third,  which  gave  their  colonel, 
J.  W.  Fisher,  the  command  of  the  brigade.  Consider 
able  cannonading  was  heard  through  the  day,  in  the 
direction  of  the  upper  fords  of  the  Rappahannock. 

We  remained  in  this  camp  until  the  22d,  during  which 
time  it  rained  constantly,  and  heavy  details  were  made 
from  the  regiment  for  fatigue  duty,  to  corduroy  roads. 
To  prevent  depredations  from  being  committed  on  pri 
vate  property,  orders  were  issued  to  have  hourly  roll 
calls  in  each  regiment. 

On  the  morning  above-mentioned  we  moved  at  eight 
through  the  fields  bordering  on  the  Telegraph  road, 
passing  through  Stafford  Court  House  to  Brooks  Station, 
on  the  Aquia  creek  and  Frederickburg  Railroad,  where 
we  arrived  about  noon  and  encamped  on  the  brow  of  a 
hill  overlooking  an  extensive  meadow.  Here  we  found 
the  remains  of  the  enemy's  huts  in  which  they  spent  the 
previous  winter.  The  next  day  our  sutler  arrived  with 
a  load  of  goods,  which  were  soon  disposed  of  to  the 
boys,  who  were  particularly  in  need  of  tobacco. 

On  the  25th  Major  Horace  Neidd  resigned  on  account 
of  disability  from  wounds  received  at  the  battle  of  Glen- 
dale. 

On  the  1st  of  December  Major  Pomeroy  arrived  and 
paid  our  regiment  off,  four  months  being  due  them. 

While  we  laid  here  we  received  a  full  supply  of 
clothing,  some  of  the  men  -being  almost  barefooted  and 
without  blankets,  and  many  of  them  in  need  of  stock 
ings,  under-clothing  and  great  coats.  Our  rations  were 
also  made  full  and  liberal,  and  the  men  appeared  in 
most  excellent  spirits. 

Our  regiment  went  on  picket  once  a  week,  and 
although  m  pleasant  weather  it  is  preferable  to  laying 
in  camp,  it  is  far  from  being  so  in  winter,  particularly 
during  a  rain  or  snow  storm.  Upon  one  occasion  we 


228  OUR   CAMPAIGNS. 

were  notified  the  line  was  to  be  changed,  and  the  regi'- 
ments  were  formed  soon  after  daybreak  and  an  aid-de 
camp  to  General  Meade  came  to  conduct  us.  A  snow 
of  six  inches  had  fallen  through  the  night,  which  made 
our  marching  through  the  heavily  ladened  pines  any 
thing  but  agreeable,  but  after  plodding  on  for  a  couple 
of  miles  we  reached  the  left  of  the  new  line  and  com 
menced  dropping  out  the  companies  and  regiments  in 
their  position.  The  line  was  about  three  miles  long, 
and  when  we  reached  the  right  of  it,  where  our  regi 
ment  was  stationed,  we  found  ourselves  about  a  half 
mile  from  camp.  It  is  unnecessary  to  observe  that  the 
aid  received  many  blessings  upon  his  head  of  a  ques 
tionable  character. 

A  diagram  of  the  line  was  given  to  an  officer  to  estab 
lish  the  new  line  by,  who,  after  consultation  with  the 
proprietor  of  the  property,  proceeded  to  do  so,  being 
assured  that  there  was  but  one  road  through  the  planta 
tion.  After  the  pickets  were  posted,  however,  he  was 
dissatisfied  with  the  line  as  its  right  rested  on  no  natural 
obstruction.  Finding  no  further  information  could  be 
obtained  at  the  house,  he  proceeded  to  examine  the 
woods,  and  following  what  at  first  was  supposed  to  be 
a  ravine,  in  a  half  mile  Aquia  creek  was  found.  The 
cause  of  the  proprietor's  deception  was  very  apparent, 
as  a  small  barn,  several  stacks  of  hay,  a  number  of  cows, 
calves,  and  chickens  were  found  in  this  out-of-the-way 
place,  and  a  large  fishing  house  was  located  on  the  creek. 
The  line  was  immediately  changed,  to  the  infinite  dis 
gust  of  our  friend,  who  of  course,  aside  from  his  o\vn 
interest,  would  like  to  have  had  it  defective.  It  is  un 
necessary  to  observe  that  no  account  of  stock  was  taken 
upon  our  arrival  or  departure. 

The  field  and  staff  of  our  regiment  and  the  Eighth, 

made  Mr.  S 's  house  headquarters,  where,  in  despite 

of  circumstances,  they  were  soon  on  most  sociable  terms 
with  the  family.  This  is  a  matter  most  easily  accom 
plished  if  rightly  managed  ;  all  that  is  necessary  being 


PICKETING.  229 

to  show  a  due  respect  to  their  feelings  and  sentiments, 
and  to  get  the  right  side  of  the  old  lady.  Before  we  had 
been  in  the  house  long,  some  of  the  officers  were  busily 
engaged  in  assisting  in  the  household  affairs,  cutting 
wood,  cleaning  the  clock,  -  white-washing  the  parlor 
chimney,  and  chasing  the  sheep  back  into  the  pen.  In 
fact  we  made  ourselves  at  home  and  generally  useful, 
and  only  one  incident  occurred  to  mar  our  pleasure,  and 
that  was,  at  precisely  eight  o'clock,  P.  M.,  the  old  gentle 
man  bid  us  good -night,  and  with  his  family  retired. 
This  was  equally  annoying  to  the  young  ladies  as  it 
was  to  us,  and  was  a  serious  evil  that  required  remedy 
ing.  Many  were  the  plans  of  operations  devised  during 
the  ensuing  week,  but  our  picket  turn  came  before  any 
was  matured.  To  turn  the  clock  back  was  a  stale  trick 
that  probably  the  old  gentleman  had  had  played  upon 
him  before,  and  something  new  must  be  devised.  But 
"fortune  favors  jbhe  brave,"  and  luckily  the  old  gentle 
man  was  slightly  indisposed.  Of  course  he  applied  to 
our  most  estimable  surgeon  for  relief,  and  then  it  was 
that  a  bright  idea  entered  the  doctor's  head.  After  due 
examination  a  couple  of  opium  pills  were  administered, 
with  a  good  glass  of  old  Cognac  to  rinse  them  down. 
About  seven  o'clock  the  old  gentleman  commenced  nod 
ding,  and  soon  afterwards  showed  decided  symptoms  of 
drowsiness,  and  every  few  minutes  rallying  himself  he 
would  inquire  the  time,  and  fearing  we  reported  wrongly 
he  got  up  frequently  and  examined  the  clock  himself. 
He  then  tried  to  walk  the  floor,  but  all  to  no  purpose, 
and  at  last  with  eyes  half  closed  and  unable  hardly  to 
speak,  he  retired  much  to  the  satisfaction  of  all. 

Mr.  S had*  three  daughters,  the  oldest  possessing 

an  excellent  education  and  most  fascinating  manners,  she 
being  the  lady  of  the  family,  and  the  others  were  almost 
her  reverse,  though  all  possessed  honest  and  warm  hearts. 
They  told  us  frankly  they  were  secessionists  at  heart,  and 
that  they  had  two  brothers  in  the  Confederate  army,  but 
situated  as  they  were,  they  had  no  objection  to  entertain- 


230  OUR   CAMPAIGNS. 

ing  Union  officers  whose  duty  placed  them  upon  their 
property.  They  conversed  freely  about  the  war,  sung 
"  My  Maryland,'"  "  The  Bonny  Blue  Flag,"  "  Dixie,"  and 
other  Confederate  songs  for  us.  The  mother  showed  us 
many  times  the  daguerreotype  of  her  darling  "Charley," 
a  boy  of  sixteen,  who  belonged  to  the  Forty-seventh  Vir 
ginia  infantry,  whom  we  promised,  if  we  caught,  to  spank 
and  send  home  to  her. 

We  remained  at  Brooks'  Station  until  December  the 
8th,  when  we  struck  tents  and  marched  at  six  o'clock  in 
the  morning ;  the  weather  being  clear  and  cold,  and  the 
roads  so  hardly  frozen  that  the  artillery  and  trains  did 
not  cut  them  up  much,  but  the  horses  being  smooth-shod, 
slipped  continually,  and  were  much  worried  in  their 
march  of  eight  miles,  which  the  infantry  accomplished 
by  noon.  Our  encampment  was  in  a  meadow  not  far 
from  White  Oak  Church.  While  we  laid  here  all  the 
detailed  men  were  ordered  into  the  ranks  and  sixty 
rounds  of  cartridges  supplied  to  each  man. 

THE  BOMBARDMENT  OF  FREDERTCKSBURG,  DECEMBER 
HTH. — At  three  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  the  llth,  our 
bugles  sounded  the  reveille,  awaking  the  boys  from  their 
slumbers  on  the  hard  frozen  ground,  and  soon  the  val 
leys  and  hills  for  miles  around  were  lit  up  by  innumer 
able  fires,  around  which  they  gathered  to  prepare  their 
coffee.  In  half  an  hour  we  took  up  our  march,  the 
bright  stars  in  the  blue  vault  of  heaven  lighting  us  on 
our  way.  and,  as  the  columns  defiled  through  the  gorges 
and  woods,  the  steady  tramp  of  men  alone  disturbed  the 
death-like  stillness  of  the  morning.  Soon  the  booming 
of  heavy  guns  in  front  announced  that  the  ball  had 
opened,  and  moving  on  to  within  a  mile  of  the  river 
we  halted,  loaded,  and  stacked  arms  in  a  piece  of  heavy 
pine  woods,  where  we  laid  for  the  day  and  night. 

In  the  mean  time  the  roar  of  artillery  had  become 
incessant  along  the  river  bank  in  our  front,  and  the  men 
clustering  on  the  neighboring  hills  had  a  fine  view  of 
the  bombardment  of  Fredericksburg,  which  had  com- 


THE   BOMBARDMENT   OF   FREDERICKSBURG.         231 

menced  in  earnest.  The  engineers  had  attempted  to  lay 
six  pontoon  bridges,  four  opposite  the  city  and  two  about 
four  miles  below,  but  they  had  not  got  more  than  two- 
thirds  of  the  distance  laid  before  the}T  were  driven  off 
by  the  enemy's  sharpshooters  posted  in  the  houses  of 
the  town.  To  dislodge  these,  one  hundred  and  forty- 
three  guns  were  put  into  position,  the  larger  portion  of 
which  opened  upon  the  town.  The  sight  was  a  mag 
nificent  but  sad  one,  and  just  before  dark  it  became 
grand  in  the  extreme.  The  town  was  on  fire  in  several 
places,  the  flames  and  smoke  ascending  high  into  the 
heavens,  while  shells  were  seen  bursting  in  almost  every 
quarter.  During  this  time  the  enemy's  sharpshooters 
kept  up  a  vigorous  fire  upon  the  cannoneers  a"nd  officers 
who  lined  the  bank,  their  bullets  at  that  long  rangs 
whizzing  wickedly  by.  Finding  it  impossible  to  drive 
the  sharpshooters  away  with  artillery,  the  pontoon  boats 
were  filled  with  infantry  and  run  quickly  across  the 
river  under  a  heavy  fire,  and  landing,  the  men  rushed 
up  into  the  streets  and  houses  and  drove  the  enemy 
away,  killing,  wounding,  and  taking  many  prisoners. 
In  fifteen  minutes  after  the  detachment  landed,  our  men 
began  building  the  bridges,  and  in  half  an  hour  mor£ 
they  were  completed. 

When  the  boats  first  went  over,  Joseph  Cline,  a  boy 
of  sixteen,  belonging  to  Company  C,  being  where  they 
started  from,  could  not  resist  the  temptation  and  went 
over  with  them,  capturing  a  Mississippi  rifle  and  accout 
rements  from  a  "Grayback"  he  killed. 


232  OUR   CAMPAIGNS. 


CHAPTER  XXI. 

BATTLE  OF  FREDERTCKSBURG.     Loss  OF  OUR  ARMY.     INCIDENTS. 
CAUSES  OF  THE  DEFEAT.    RE-CROSS  THE  RAPPAHANNOCK. 

THE  BATTLE  OF  FREDERICKSBURG,  DECEMBER  13TH.— 
Early  on  the  12th,  we  marched  down  to  the  lower  pon 
toons,  and  at  eleven  A.  M.,  crossed,  halted  and  formed 
in  line  of  battle  on  the  bottom  land  beneath  the  elevated 
plain.  Here  the  men  commenced  making  coffee  and 
eating  dinner,  as  no  one  could  tell  when  they  would  have 
an  opportunity  to  build  fires  again.  While  they  were 
thus  engaged  and  every  one  was  expecting  in  a  short 
time  to  go  into  battle,  four  young  boys  were  quietly 
seated,  playing  cards  upon  a  blanket.  For  two  of  them 
it  was  their  last  game.  Soon  after  we  were  moved  up 
on  the  plateau,  and  the  whole  army  was  formed  into 
line  of  battle,  with  the  artillery  and  cavalry  all  posted. 
It  was  one  of  the  most  magnificent  sights  the  eyes  of 
man  ever  rested  upon. 

Some  slight  picket  skirmishing  took  place  in  our  front, 
and  on  the  right,  the  enemy  opened  with  artillery,  but 
soon  retired.  The  "Bucktails"  were  ordered  to  the  ex 
treme  left  for  picket  duty,  and  our  regiment  sent  to  oc 
cupy  the  buildings  and  out-houses  at  Smithfield,  and  to 
hold  the  bridge  across  Deep  run,  near  where  it  emptied 
into  the  river.  The  main  building  was  Dr.  Thomas 
Platt's  large  brick  house,  which,  being  unoccupied,  we 
entered  through  a  window,  and  found  it  very  handsomely 
furnished.  Around  this  building  the  men  were  posted, 
and  it  was  occupied  by  us  during  the  night.  Upon  our 
arrival,  Colonel  McCandless  caused  the  arrest  of  the 
overseer  and  two  other  white  men,  and  sent  them  to 
General  Meade's  head-quarters,  who  caused  them  to  be 
detained  until  the  battle  was  over.  With  the  exception 
of  the  exchange  of  a  few  shots  every  thing  passed  quietly 
through  the  night. 


THE   BATTLE   OF   FREPERICKSBURG.  233 

The  field  upon  which  the  battle  of  Fredericksburg  was 
fought,  consisted  of  a  plateau,  extending  from  the  bluffs 
of  the  river  to  a  range  of  heavily -wooded  heights,  com 
mencing  on  the  Bappahannock,  above  and  in  the  -rear 
of  Fredericksburg,  and  extending  to  the  valley  of  Mas- 
saponax,  a  distance  of  between  four  and  five  miles,  its 
greatest  breadth  being  two  miles.  On  this  plateau  was 
drawn  up  the  Union  army,  Major-general  E.  V.  Sumner, 
commanding  the  right  grand  division,  Major-general 
Joseph  Hooker  commanding  the  centre  grand  division, 
and  -Major-general  William  B.  Franklin  commanding 
the  left  grand  division. 

Early  on  the  morning  of  the  13th,  the  enemy  threw 
out  foot  and  mounted  skirmishers,  on  our  left,  and  Colo 
nel  McCandless  ordered  Companies  B,  Captain  McDon- 
ough,  and  H,  Captain  Mealey,  to  the  support  of  the 
"  Bucktails,"  and  it  soon  after  becoming  evident  that  the 
enemy  meditated  an  attack  upon  that  point,  the  balance 
of  the  regiment  was  moved  up.  Soon  after  the  re 
mainder  of  the  Pennsylvania  Reserves,  under  General 
Meade,  moved  forward,  and  Doubleday's  division  passing 
to  our  left,  we  advanced  and  formed  the  first  line  of 
battle  with  Gibbons'  division  on  our  right.  Crossing  the 
Bowling  Green  road,  we  advanced  to  within  about  one 
thousand  yards  of  the  base  of  the  mountain  and  laid 
down  on  the  crest  of  the  field,  behind  the  batteries  we 
were  to  support. 

Our  division  formation  was,  the  First  brigade  in  line 
of  battle,  with  the  Sixth  regiment  deployed  as  skir 
mishers  ;  the  Second  brigade  in  rear  of  the  First,  three 
hundred  paces:  the  Third  brigade  by  the  flank,  its 
right  flank  being  a  few  yards  to  the  rear  of  the  First 
brigade,  having  the  Ninth  regiment  deployed  on  its 
flanks  as  skirmishers  and  flankers;  the  batteries  be 
tween  the  First  and  Second  brigades. 

This  disposition  had  scarcely  been  made,  when  the 
enemy  opened  a  brisk  fire  from  a  battery  posted  on  the 
Bowling  Green  road,  the  shot  from  which  took  the  divi- 


234  OUR   CAMPAIGNS. 

sion  from  the  left  and  rear,  As  there  were  indications 
of  an  attack  from  that  quarter,  the  Third  brigade  was 
faced  to  the  left,  thus  forming,  with  the  First,  two  sides 
of  a  square.  Simpson's  battery  was  advanced  to  the 
front  and  left  of  the  Third  brigade,  and  Cooper's  and 
Eansom's  batteries  moved  to  the  knoll  on  the  left  of  the 
First  brigade.  These  batteries  immediately  opened  on 
the  enemy's  battery,  and,  in  conjunction  with  some  of 
Doubleday's  batteries  in  our  rear,  on  the  other  side  of 
the  Bowling  Green  road,  after  some  twenty  minutes' 
firing,  silenced  and  compelled  the  withdrawal  of  the 
guns. 

During  this  artillery  duel,  the  enemy  advanced  a 
body  of  sharpshooters  along  the  Bowling  Green  road, 
under  cover  of  the  hedges  and  trees  at  the  roadside. 
General  Jackson,  commanding  the  Third  brigade, 
promptly  sent  out  two  companies  of  marksmen  from  his 
brigade,  who  drove  the  enemy  back,  and  no  further  de 
monstrations  were  made  on  our  left  and  rear. 

During  this  time  a  dense  fog,  which  had  hung  over 
the  field,  was  dispelled  by  the  rays  of  the  sun,  and  re 
vealed  to  the  enemy  our  magnificent  lines  drawn  up  in 
battle  array.  As  our  division  had  been  chosen  by  Ge 
neral  Reynolds,  who  commanded  our  corps,  to  storm  the 
heights,  Ransom's  battery  was  moved  to  the  right  and 
front  of  the  First  brigade,  and  Amsden's  battery  was 
posted  on  the  right  of  Cooper's,  and  the  Third  brigade 
changed  front,  and  formed  in  line  of  battle  on  the  left  of 
the  First  brigade,  its  left  extending  so  as  to  be  nearly 
opposite  to  the  end  of  the  ridge  to  be  attacked.  The 
formation  was  barely  executed  before  the  enemy  opened 
a  sharp  fire  from  a  battery  posted  on  the  heights  to  our 
extreme  left.  Cooper's,  Amsden's  and  Ransom's  bat 
teries  were  immediately  turned  on  it,  and,  after  about 
thirty  minutes  rapid  firing,  the  enemy  abandoned  the 
guns,  having  had  two  of  his  limbers  or  caissons  blown 
up,  the  explosions  from  which  were  plainly  visible. 

It  was  now  twelve  o'clock;  M.,  and  we  had  been  lay- 


THE   BATTLE   OF   FREDERICKSBURG.  235 

ing  under  a  terrifie  fire  of  round  shot  and  shell  for  over 
three  hours,  which  plowed  up  the  earth  in  deep  furrows, 
or  went  howling  and  bursting  over  our  heads,  filling  the 
air  with  iron  hail  and  sulphur.  Though  this  is  the  most 
trying  position  soldiers  can  be  placed  in,  there  is  little 
danger  from  it,  not  a  man  of  our  regiment  being  hurt, 
though  the  flagstaff  was  cut  in  two.  But  we  were  tired 
of  lying  still  and  being  shot  at  without  returning  the 
fire,  and  when  the  order  came  for  us  to  advance,  it  was 
received  with  joy  by  all.  Upon  the  explosion  of  the 
caissons,  the  order  to  advance  was  given  and  received 
with  loud  cheers,  the  First  brigade  advancing  over  the 
field  into  the  woods,  driving  the  enemy  before  them. 
Having  passed  through  a  severe  flanking  fire  from  a  rifle 
pit,  which  lined  the  base  of  the  woods  and  mountains, 
we  crossed  the  Kichmond  and  Fredericksburg  Kailroad 
and  drove  the  enemy  from  behind  the  embankments,  and 
then  making  a  half  wheel  to  the  left,  gained  the  rear  of 
the  pit,  and  poured  into  its  occupants  a  most  destructive 
fire,  by  which  they  were  slaughtered  like  sheep.  Many 
of  them  attempted  to  escape  by  running  the  gauntlet  in 
front  of  our  regiment,  they  becoming  perfectly  wild  with 
fright,  not  heeding  our  calls  to  halt,  but  with  their  arms 
up  to  shield  their  heads,  some  of  them  staggered  to  and 
fro  up  the  hill,  within  a  few  yards  of  us,  meeting  certain 
death.  The  balance  of  our  brigade  being  on  our  right, 
and  a  heavy  fire  being  received  from  that  direction  they 
obliqued  over  to  that  side,  and  our  regiment  pushed  on 
to  the  front. 

In  the  mean  time,  about  one  company  of  scattered 
men  were  pouring  into  the  rifle-pit,  at  the  distance  of 
fifty  yards,  a  murderous  fire,  to  which  no  response  was 
given,  but  unfortunately  the  Seventh  Keserve  were  in 
the  field  in  front  of  the  pit,  and  pouring  into  it  a  heavy 
fire,  which  harmed  not  the  foe,  but  was  received  by  our 
men,  who  in  the  excitement  of  the  battle  supposed  the 
shots  came  from  the  pit.  It  was  therefore  almost  impos 
sible  to  stop  the  fire  of  our  boys,  until  at  last  the  adju- 


236  OUR   CAMPAIGNS. 

tant  cased  his  sword,  and  taking  off  his  cap  advanced 
between  the  two  lines,  and  asked,  the  enemy  if  "they 
wished  to  fight  or  surrender.'7  "  We  will  surrender,  if 
you  will  let  us,"  was  the  reply.  This  stopped  the  fire  of 
our  regiment.  The  adjutant  not  wishing  to  weaken  his 
own  regiment  by  sending  men  with  them  to  the  rear, 
and  to  prevent  treachery  from  the  enemy,  took  several 
of  them  with  him,  and  advancing  in  front  of  the  rifle-pit, 
succeeded  in  stopping  the  fire  of  the  Seventh,  upon 
which  he  got  the  ^est  of  the  prisoners,  numbering  over 
three  hundred,  out,  and  sent  them  over  to  the  Seventh.* 
At  least  one  hundred  men  laid  dead  or  wounded  in  the 
pit  and  immediately  in  its  rear.  When  the  men  left  the 
pit  to  go  into  our  lines,  from  their  dirty  and  ragged  ap 
pearance,  they  resembled  the  emptying  of  an  almshouse 
more  than  any  thing  else,  but  under  these  soiled  and 
torn  jackets,  there  were  many  brave  hearts,  fighting  for 
what  they  believed  a  holy  and  just  cause.  They  were 
the  Nineteenth  Georgia  infantry.  Our  regiment  num 
bered  but  one  hundred  and  ninety-five  muskets. 

In  the  meantime  our  brigade  pressed  vigorously  on, 
and  continued  forcing  the  enemy  back  until  the  crest  of 
the  heights  was  crowned,  we  crossing  the  main  road 
that  runs  along  there,  breaking  down  a  fence  and  enter 
ing  the  open  ground  or  plateau,  across  which  we  swept, 
passing  rows  of  the  enemy's  muskets  stacked,  taking 
them  by  utter  surprise  and  reaching  their  reserve  and 
getting  within  sight  of  their  ambulances.  So  vigorous 
and  sudden  was  the  attack,  that  the  enemy  in  some  in 
stances  had  not  time  to  get  under  arms  before  we  were 
upon  them.  At  this  point  we  were  assailed  by  a  very 
'severe  fire  from  a  large  force  in  front,  and  a  battery 
opened  upon  us  from  the  right,  completely  enfilading  us, 
and  a  few  moments  afterwards  we  received  a  heavy  fire 


*  In  the  official  report  of  General  Meade  of  the  battle,  doubtlessly 
by  mistake,  the  Seventh  regiment  is  wrongfully  credited  with  the 
capture  of  the  rifle-pits,  prisoners,  and  a  standard. 


THE   BATTLE   OF   FREDEKICKSBURG.  237 

on  our  left  flank.  After  holding  the  ground  here  for  a 
considerable  time  under  these  withering  fires,  and  find 
ing  no  support  was  coming  to  us,  we  were  compelled  to 
fall  back  to  the  railroad. 

The  second  brigade,  which  advanced  in  our  rear,  after 
reaching  the  railroad,  received  so  severe  a  fire  on  their 
right  flank  that  the  Fourth  regiment  halted,  formed  and 
faced  to  the  right,  to  repel  this  attack.  The  other  regi 
ments,  in  passing  through  the  woods,  being  assailed  from 
the  left,  inclining  in  that  direction  and  ascended  the 
heights,  the  Third  regiment  going  up  as  the  One-hun 
dred  and  twenty-first,  then  attached  to  our  brigade,  was 
retiring.  The  Third  continued  to  advance  until  they 
met  the  balance  of  our  brigade,  when  all  retired  to 
gether.  The  Seventh  engaged  the  enemy  on  the  left, 
and  continued  to  advance  until  they  encountered  the 
enemy's  reinforcements,  when  they  were  driven  back. 

The  Third  brigade  had  not  advanced  over  one  hun 
dred  yards  when  the  battery  on  the  heights  on  its  left 
was  remanned,  and  poured  a  destructive  fire  into  its 
ranks.  General  Jackson  attempted  to  outflank  the  bat 
tery  on  the  right,  and  succeeded  so  far  that  some  of  the 
regiments  advanced  across  the  railroad,  and  ascended 
the  heights  in  their  front,  but  here  the  gallant  Jackson 
was  killed,  and  so  severe  a  fire  of  both  artillery  and  in 
fantry  was  opened  upon  them,  that  they  were  compelled 
to  withdraw. 

Upon  our  reaching  the  open  ground  General  Meade 
requested  Colonel  McCandless,  who  was  now  in  com 
mand  of  our  brigade,  as  Colonel  Sinclair  had  been 
severely  wounded,  to  rally  the  men.  Our  flag  and  that 
of  another  regiment  was  brought  to  the  front,  and  we 
partially  reformed  and  maintained  our  ground  for  some 
twenty  minutes,  but  such  was  the  severity  of  the  artil 
lery  and  infantry  fire  concentrated  upon  us,  we  were 
again  forced  to  retire.  Moving  on  across  the  field  we 
reached  our  batteries,  behind  which  we  found  General 
Birney's  troops.  The  enemy  did  not  follow  us  but  a, 


238  OUR  CAMPAIGNS. 

short  distance  from  the  woods,  when   they  retired  to 
their  original  position. 

General  Gibbons,  whose  division  laid  on  our  right, 
ordered  his  First  brigade  forward  when  he  saw  us  ad 
vancing.  Finding  they  faltered,  he  shortly  afterwards 
.  .  ordered  up  the  Second  brigade,  but  such  was  the  severity 
of  the  fire  he  could  not  get  them  to  charge.  He  then 
ordered  the  Third  brigade  to  form  in  column  on  the 
right  of  his  line,  and  they  went  in  on  the  bayonet  and 
advanced  as  far  as  the  railroad,  the  enemy's  outer  line, 
at  the  base  of  the  heights,  but  this  was  not  until  we 
were  being  driven  back  by  the  concentrated  force  of  the 
enemy  on  our  front  and  flanks. 

General  Meade  stated,  prior  to  the  assault,  that  he 
could  take  the  heights,  but  could  not  hold  them  without 
support,  which  he  fully  expected.  He  sent  three  dif 
ferent  times  to  General  Birney  by  three  staff  officers, 
twice  requesting  him  to  advance  to  his  support,  and  the 
third  time  ordering  him  to  advance,  and  then  he  came 
up.  To  the  first  request  he  answered,  he  was  under  the 
orders  of  General  Reynolds,  and  could  not  move  with 
out  his  orders.  When  he  received  the  order  to  advance 
he  sent  four  regiments  under  General  Hobart  Ward,  who 
arrived  just  as  we  had  retired  from  the  woods,  and  they, 
with  a  portion  of  the  Reserves  and  Gibbons'  division, 
prevented  the  enemy  from  advancing  beyond  the  edge 
of  the  woods. 

General  Birney,  in  his  testimony  before  the  "Com 
mittee  on  the  Conduct  of  the  War,"  states  that  he  only 
received  one  message  from  General  Meade  request 
ing  support ;  that  the  enemy  charged  within  fifty  yards 
of  his  guns ;  that  General  Ward,  with  his  four  regiments, 
advanced  beyond  where  the  Reserves  had  ;  that  his  com 
mand  was  immediately  in  the  rear  of  General  Meade's 
during  the  attack,  and  that  he  was  requested  to  try 
and  stop  the  rout,  and  deployed  two  regiment  for  that 
purpose,  but  the  fugitives  broke  through  his  lines. 
These  statements  would  not  be  noticed  if  they  were  not 


THE   BATTLE   OF   FREDEKICKSBURG.  239 

in  so  direct  variance  with  those  of  General  Meade  and 
other  officers,  and  with  what  is  known  to  be  the  facts 
by  the  majority  of  the  officers  and  men  of  our  division 
who  were  present  upon  the  field. 

Birney  ordered  to  stop  the  fugitive  "Pennsylvania 
Eeserves"  from  running ! !  [  No  one  was  ever  ordered 
to  do  that,  for  when  they  retired  no  troops  ever  went  in 
after  them ! 

General  Franklin,  who  commanded  the  left  grand 
division,  received  orders  from  General  Burnside  "to 
seize,  if  possible,  the  heights  near  Captain  Hamilton's, 
on  this  side  of  the  Massaponax,  taking  care  to  keep  it 
well  supported  and  its  line  of  retreat  open."  "  Holding 
these  heights  (on  the  right  of  our  line),  with  the  heights 
near  Captain  Hamilton's,  will,  I  hope,  compel  the  enemy 
to  evacuate  the  whole  ridge  between  these  points."  The 
troops  under  his  command  to  accomplish  this,  were  his 
own  grand  division  numbering  forty  thousand  men,  and 
two  divisions  from  Hooker's  grand  division  under  the 
command  of  General  Stoneman,  numbering  from  fifteen 
to  twenty  thousand  men,  making  a  grand  total  of  from 
fifty -five  to  sixty  thousand  men.  He  also  had  twenty- 
three  batteries,  one  hundred  and  sixteen  guns,  besides 
sixty  one  guns,  some  of  them  of  very  large  calibre,  sta 
tioned  on  the  north  bank  of  the  river  to  protect  the 
bridges.  A  portion  of  these  guns  under  Captain  De 
Hussy,  had  obtained  complete  control  of  the  Massaponax, 
from  its  mouth  up  to  the  position  occupied  by  the  enemy. 
With  all  this  force  at  his  disposal,  General  Franklin  saw 
proper  to  order  the  attack  to  be  made  by  two  divisions, 
the  Reserves  numbering  four  thousand  five  hundred,  and 
Gibbon's  division  something  over  five  thousand  men,  in 
all  at  the  outside  ten  thousand  men.  This  was  the  force 
it  was  contemplated  to  make  the  attack  with,  though 
our  own  division  was  in  reality  the  only  one  that  crossed 
the  railroad,  and  we  reached  a  point  almost  three-quarters 
of  a  mile  beyond.  General  Franklin  deemed  it  necessary 
to  keep  between  forty-five  and  fifty  thousand  infantry 


240  OUR   CAMPAIGNS. 

and  a  large  number  of  guns  to  hold  the  bridges,  that 
were  two  miles  from  the  enemy,  when  twenty  thousand 
men  would  have  been  amply  sufficient,  and  if  the  heights 
had  been  held  no  infantry  whatever  would  have  been 
required  for  the  purpose. 

But  the  General  in  his  testimony  before  the  "Com 
mittee"  states,  "  I  never  dreamed  that  this  was  considered 
as  a  strong  attack  at  all  until  since  the  battle  took  place. 
At  that  time  I  had  no  idea  that  it  was  the  main  attack, 
but  supposed  it  was  an  armed  observation  to  ascertain 
where  the  enemy  was."  "  That  night,"  the  General  con 
tinues,  "  General  Burnside  sent  for  me,  and  I  supposed 
his  object  in  sending  for  me  was  to  tell  me  what  kind 
of  attack  was  to  come  off  the  next  day."  It  is  rather 
surprising  that  General  Franklin  with  all  his  known  and 
admitted  ability,  should  have  fought  through  the  memo 
rable  battle  of  Fredericksburg  without  "dreaming"  that 
anything  more  than  "an  armed  reconnoissance"  had 
taken  place.  He  was  subsequently  suspended  from  his 
command  for  not  being  a  better  dreamer. 

The  position  held  by  the  Confederates,  and  which  our 
division  attacked,  was  very  faulty,  as  shown  by  our  own 
maps  afterwards,  and  the  one  captured  from  General 
Jackson.  Jackson  was  thrown  down  on  our  left  much 
too  far,  and  if  General  Meade  had  received  sufficient 
support  to  have  enabled  him  to  have  held  his  position, 
it  is  believed  that  a  portion  of  Jackson's  forces  and  six 
or  seven  batteries  could  never  have  retired.  And  it  is 
the  unanimous  opinion  of  the  officers  of  the  army,  that 
being  in  the  rear  of  the  enemy's  left,  they  would  have 
been  so  shaken  on  the  ridge,  that  the  position  in  front 
could  have  been  easily  stormed  and  carried. 

But  the  crown  of  victory  was  snatched  from  the  brow 
of  the  Reserves. 

While  these  operations  were  transpiring  on  the  extreme 
left,  the  right  was  busily  engaged,  but  with  less  success. 
General  Sumner  having  received  orders  to  storm  the 
enemy's  works  on  the  extreme  right  immediately  in  the 


THE  BATTLE  OF  FREDERICKSBURG.       241 

rear  of  Fredericksburg,  selected  the  corps  of  Generals 
French  and  Hancock  for  that  purpose.  The  works  to 
be  taken  consisted  of  three  tiers,  the  first  an  embanked 
stone  wall,  four  or  five  hundred  yards  long,  behind  which 
infantry  were  posted,  and  with  artillery  enfilading  it. 
The  next  tier  was  a  more  formidable  row  of  fortifications, 
situated  one  mile  in  the  rear  on  a  higher  position  still. 
Between  these  were  large  masses  of  infantry.  In  the 
rear  of  this  were  other  fortifications  on  still  higher  posi 
tions.  The  first  line  of  works  was  repeatedly  assaulted, 
but  in  spite  of  all  the  efforts  of  the  officers  our  men  wero 
driven  back.  The  enemy  held  their  fire  until  our  troops 
arrived  close  up  to  the  wall  when  they  rose  up  and 
poured  into  them  a  fearful  volley,  their  artillery  enfi 
lading  the  column  at  the  same  time  on  both  sides.  No 
troops  could  stand  such  a  fire  as  they  received. 

At  two  P.  M.,  General  Hooker  was  ordered  to  assault 
the  same  position  and  after  trying  to  dissuade  General 
Burnside  from  making  the  attack,  he  brought  up  all  his 
available  batteries,  with  a  view  to  break  away  the  barriers 
by  the  use  of  artillery.  With  these  he  continued  to  play 
with  great  vigor  until  sunset  upon  one  point,  but  with 
no  apparent  effect  upon  the  enemy  or  their  works. 
About  this  time  General  Humphrey's  division  was 
ordered  to  form  in  column  of  assault.  The  men  took 
off  their  knapsacks,  overcoats  and  haversacks,  as  all 
troops  do  upon  such  occasions,  and  at  the  word  "  For 
ward,"  they  moved  up  to  the  works  with  empty  muskets 
and  with  great  impetuosity.  The  head  of  the  column 
arrived  within  fifteen  or  twenty  yards  of  the  wall,  when 
they  were  hurled  back  as  quickly  as  they  advanced, 
leaving  one  thousand  seven  hundred  and  sixty  of  their 
number  out  of  about  four  thousand  upon  the  field.  The 
whole  of  the  advance  and  retiring  did  not  occupy  fifteen 
minutes,  and  they  probably  did  not  kill  a  man. 

In  addition  to  the  musketry  fire  that  the  men  were 
exposed  to,  the  crest  of  the  hills  surrounding  Fredericks- 
burg  form  almost  a  semi-circle,  and  these  were  filled 

16 


242  OUR   CAMPAIGNS. 

with  artillery,  and  the  focus  was  the  column  that  moved 
up  to  this  assault,  and  it  was  within  good  canister  range. 
This  was  the  favorite  point  of  assault  of  General  Burn- 
side,  and  he  persisted  in  butting  against  it  all  day  long. 

More  or  less  artillery  righting  was  kept  up  all  along 
the  line  through  the  day. 

After  remaining  behind  the  batteries  for  some  time 
our  division  was.  marched  to  the  ground  occupied  the 
night  before,  where  it  was  held  in  reserve. 

The  loss  of  the  army  during  the  day  was : 

Killed, 1,152 

Wounded,    .        .        .        .  ...  9,101 

Missing,       .        .        .        .        .        .        .        .  8,234 

Total,  •   .        .        .        .        /       .        .  13,487 

Treated  in  Hospital,    .        .        .        .        .  1,630 
Killed,         .  .        .        .1,152 


Total,       .  ,>        .        *        .'      .2,782 

There  is  little  doubt  that  the  aggregate  of  cases  re 
turned  as  treated  in  hospital  and  the  returns  of  killed 
will  very  nearly  cover  the  whole  amount  of  disabling 
casualties  occurring  at  the  battle. 

/  The  return  of  killed  may,be  too  small,  but  the  amount 
returned  as  treated  in  hospital  is  nearly  sufficiently 
liberal  to  compensate  for  any  such  deficiency. 

The  loss  of  the  First  Corps  was  :* 

FIRST  DIVISION, — GENERAL  A.  DOUBLEDAY. 

Officers,  .        .        .        .        .        f       .       12 
Men,        .      ,  .        .        .  :      .        .        .199 

Total,  .        .        -.        ....     211 

*  Taken  from  the  official  report  of  Major-general  John  F.  Rey 
nolds  commanding  First  Army  Corps. 


LOSS   OF  THE   KESEKVES. 


243 


SECOND  DIVISION,— GENERAL  JOHN  GIBBON. 

Officers,  .        .        .       -..       .        .  *      ."      76 
Men,  .         .         . 

Total,  .        .        .        .        .        .        . 

THIED  DIVISION, — GENERAL  GEORGE  G.  MEADE. 
Killed. 

Officers, 13 

Men>                                 .  158 

Total, 171 

Wounded. 

Officers, 52 

Men>  .        '.  1,150 

Total, 1;2Q2 

Missing. 

Officers, 12 

Men;  .....'     457 

Total,  .......  ~~m 

Aggregate. 

Officers,  .  77 

Men,  .        '.  i;765 

Total,  .  1;842 

Recapitulation. 
First  Division,         .         .         .       ...     211 

Second  Division,      .         .         .         .         .  1;256 

Third  Division,        .    '     .         .         .         .  1^842 


Total,  , 


.  3,309 


244  OUR   CAMPAIGNS. 

It  will  be  observed  that  our  division  lost  more  than 
both  the  others  added  together.* 

There  are  some  incidents  that  occurred  during  the 
battle  that  are  worth  relating.  When  we  laid  under  a 
terrific  shelling,  prior  to  the  charge,  private  John  A. 
Camp,  Company  A,  Ele\^nth  Reserves,  was  killed  in 
the  rear  of  our  regiment,  and  General  Meade,  through 
some  queer  fancy,  ordered  one  of  our  officers  to  have 
him  buried.  A  grave  was  dug  with  bayonets  and  hands, 
and  wrapping  the  soldier  in  his  blanket  he  was  laid  in 
his  honorable  grave,  while  the  shells  were  singing  his 
requiem  over  head.  Nearly  eighty  dollars  was  found 
upon  his  person,  which  was  turned  over  to  the  officer 
commanding  his  company. 

Young  Charles  Upjohn,  Company  K,  captured  the 
Nineteenth  Georgia's  flag,  but  the  captain  of  Camp's 
company  unjustly  and  ungenerously  took  it  from  him, 
and  claimed  the  honor  himself. 

A  boy  of  about  fifteen  shot  a  Union  soldier,  and 
dropping  his  rifle,  ran,  but  was  pursued  by  two  men, 
who  were  on  the  point  of  bayonetting  him,  when  an 
officer  interfered  and  saved  his  life.  It  was  some  time 
before  the  boy  could  comprehend  what  the  intention  of 
the  officer  was,  and  so  thoroughly  convinced  was  he  that 
the  Yankees  would  kill  him,  that  he  followed  the  officer 
through  the  hottest  portion  of  the  battle,  preferring  to 
run  his  risk  with  him,  than  to  trusting  himself  with  any 
one  else. 

An  amusing  incident  occurred  during  the  charge.  A 

captain  of  the regiment  received  a  slight  wound 

on  his  knee,  and  down  he  went  to  the  ground,  but  for 
tunately  a  stretcher  was  near,  and  he  was  lifted  help 
lessly  upon  it,  and  started  for  the  rear.  They  had  not 
proceeded  far,  with  their  precious  charge,  before  a  shell 
exploded  in  close  proximity,  when  the  wounded  officer, 
springing  to  his  feet,  cried  out,  "  Hike  out,  boys,  that's  too 

*  See  Appendix  A. 


INC1DEXT3.  245 

hot  for  me,"  and,  suiting  his  action  to  his  words,  ran  like 
a  deer,  leaving  the  amazed  carriers  far  in  the  rear.* 

Color-sergeant  William  Derr,  who  was  as  brave  a 
boy  as  ever  wore  a  blue  coat,  was  shot  on  the  plateau  as 
we  were  crossing  the  fence.  Colonel  McCandless  ordered 
a  couple  of  men  to  carry  him  to  the  rear,  but  he  refused 
to  permit  them,  telling  them  to  "take  the  flag  and  go 


on." 


Our  flagstaff  was  cut  in  two,  by  a  round  shot,  when 
we  were  lying  down.  The  boys,  jumping  to  their  feet, 
gave  three  cheers  and  then  laid  down  again. 

Dr.  Donnelly  having  been  detailed  to  division  field  hos 
pital,  Dr.  Colernan  was  left  in  charge  of  our  regiment,  and 
before  night  all  our  wounded  men  were  collected  together 
in  one  house,  where  they  received  all  the  kindness  that 
could  be  bestowed  upon  them.  Coffee  and  gruel  was 
soon  furnished  them,  and  hardly  a  groan  escaped  their 
lips. 

Every  thing  passed  off  quietly  through  the  night,  and 
the  next  day,  although  we  were  under  arms  several 
times,  and  cannonading  continued  off  and  on  all  day. 
Colonel  William  Sinclair,  having  been  severely  wounded, 
the  command  of  our  brigade  devolved  upon  Colonel 
McCandless,  and  Captain  McDonough  having  received 
an  injury  in  his  eye  the  day  before,  Captain  Mealey  took 
command  of  the  regiment. 

On  Saturday  night,  General  Burnside  determined  upon 
the  insane  renewal  of  the  assault  upon  the  works  in  the 

*  No  one  is  more  entitled  to  our  pity  than  he  who,  having  en 
tered  the  army  without  consulting  his  own  heart,  discovers  in  the 
hour  of  danger,  that  he  is  deficient  in  courage.  If  he  continues  in 
the  service,  he  will  assuredly  be  covered  with  disgrace  ;  and  if  the 
army  regulations  would  permit  him  to  resign,  except  for  disability, 
the  reason  will  be  discovered,  whatever  pains  he  may  take  to  con 
ceal  it ;  thus  in  either  case  he  will  find  himself  exposed  to  the  deri 
sion  and  contempt  of  his  comrades.  A  clergyman  may  impose  upon 
the  world  by  the  exterior  of  gravity,  and  may  feign  a  piety  which 
he  does  not  feel,  but  the  coward  cannot  long  maintain  with  success 
that  of  bravery,  for  the  trial  is  too  severe. 


246  OUR   CAMPAIGNS. 

rear  of  Fredericksburg,  on  the  following  morning,  and 
the  column  of  attack  was  formed,  but  through  the  urgent 
solicitation  of  General  Sumner,  who  represented  that  he 
did  not  know  of  any  general  officer  who  approved  it,  he 
countermanded  the  order.  Through  Sunday  night  there 
was  considerable  picket  firing,  and  on  Monday  a  flag  of 
truce  was  agreed  upon,  to  bring  off  the  wounded  and 
bury  the  dead,  for  which  purpose  details  were  made  from 
the  various  regiments.. 

On  Monday  night,  the  15th,  soon  after  dark,  we  were 
got  under  arms,  and  leaving  our  camp  fires  brightly  burn 
ing,  moved  slowly  and  noiseless  towards  the  river,  which 
we  crossed  on  muffled  pontoons,  and  moved  back  about 
a  mile.  The  crossing  on  the  right  was  soon  afterwards 
commenced,  and  by  morning  the  whole  army  was  safely 
over,  without  the  loss  of  a  man  or  a  gun.  A  more  com 
plete  or  successful  evacuation  of  a  position  had  not  been 
made  during  the  war. 

The  battle  of  Fredericksburg  was  lost,  the  bright 
hopes  of  the  Nation  and  the  army  were  blasted,  and  the 
victory  that  was  within  our  grasp  was  gone  forever. 
Let  us  review  briefly,  some  of  the  causes  of  it.  On  the 
17th  of  November,  General  Sumner  arrived  at  Falmouth, 
opposite  Fredericksburg,  which  at  that  time  was  garri 
soned  by  about  five  hundred  Confederate  troops.  The 
general  expected  to  find  the  pontoons  there  when  he 
arrived,  or  very  soon  afterwards.  If  such  had  been  the 
case,  he  would  have  seized  the  crest  in  the  rear  of  the 
town,  and  the  enemy  would  have  been  forced  to  have 
given  battle  at  some  other  point  nearer  Richmond.  The 
pontoons  did  not  arrive  for  over  three  weeks  afterwards, 
thus  enabling  the  enemy  to  concentrate  his  forces  and  to 
fortify  his  extraordinarily  strong  position. 

If  General  Burnside  had  kept  himself  properly  posted 
as  to  the  whereabouts  of  the  pontoons,  and  had  not  ad 
vanced  on  Fredericksburg,  thereby  divulging  to  the 
enemy  his  plan  of  campaign,  until  the  time  of  their 
arrival,  arid  had  made  feint  movements  towards  Culpeper, 


STRENGTH   OF   THE   ARMIES.  247 

he  might  have  taken  the  enemy  by  surprise  at  Frede- 
ricksburg,  and  have  accomplished  the  same  end. 

It  has  been  shown  if  General  Franklin  had  properly 
supported  Meade's  charge,  a  victory  was  almost  certain 
to  have  resulted  to  our  arms. 

While  these  faults  are  apparent  on  our  side,  it  is 
equally  clear  that  the  enemy  did  not  make  proper  use 
of  his  victory.  If  he  had  set  fire  to  Fredericksburg,  at 
any  time  between  the  close  of  the  battle  on  the  13th  and 
the  night  of  the  15th,  and  have  opened  with  all  his  guns 
and  made  a  grand  charge  with  his  infantry,  the  result 
must  have  been  most  fearful  to  the  Union  army. 

The  Union  force  upon  the  south  side  of  the  river  was 
about  one  hundred  thousand  men,  not  more  than  fifty 
thousand  of  whom  were  engaged  in  battle.  The  Confede 
rate  forces  have  been  variously  estimated  at  from  one 
hundred  to  two  hundred  thousand  men,  but  probably 
eighty-five  thousand  is  nearer  the  mark.  The  Union 
army  never  went  into  battle  in  better  spirits  than  they 
did  that  day,  they  being  confident  of  victory  and  believ 
ing  it  would  be  the  last  great  battle  of  the  war. 


CHAPTER  XXII. 

PICKET  TKUCE  AND  FIGHTING.  FAREWELL  OF  GENERAL  MEADE. 
THE  MUD  EXPEDITION.  GENERAL  BUKNSIDE  RELIEVED  BY 
GENERAL  HOOKER.  ORDERED  TO  ALEXANDRIA.  To  FAIRFAX 
COURT  HOUSE.  PICKET  AT  BULL  RUN.  CAPTURE  OF  GENERAL 
STOUGHTON.  PROMOTIONS. 


our  re-crossing,  our  regiment  and  the  "  Buck- 
tails"  were  immediately  detailed  to  guard,  the  river  below 
the  lower  pontoon  bridges,  and  opposite  the  Bernard 
House,  and  before  daylight  we  had  a  number  of  good 
rifle  pits  dug  to  shelter  the  men  in.  As  daylight  ap 
proached,  a  lew  stragglers  could  be  seen  hurrying  towards 


248  OUR   CAMPAIGNS. 

the  river,  and  some  hours  afterwards  the  enemy's  scouts 
appeared ;  but  lo — the  blue  birds  had  flown.  On  the 
left  of  our  line,  the  most  amicable  relationship  was 
established  between  the  pickets,  they  coming  down  to  the 
river  banks  and  conversing  freely,  expressing  their 
mutual  regrets  that  they  had  no  means  of  visiting  one 
another. 

"  How  are  you  Yanks ;  I  guess  you  found  it  rather 
unhealthy  over  here." 

"  How  are  you  Rebs  ;  how  did  you  like  Antietam?" 

"  About  as  well  as  you  liked  Bull  Run." 

"  Can't  you  sing  us  '  My  Maryland.'  " 

"  D — n  Maryland,  can't  you  rig  up  a  raft  and  come 
over  and  trade  ?" 

Late  in  the  afternoon  some  of  the  boys  of  Company  C, 
got  permission  of  one  of  our  officers  to  come  down  and 
talk  with  them. 

"  Why  don't  you  officers  go  home,  and  let  us  privates 
settle  the  war." 

"  How  do  you  want  to  settle  it  ?" 

"  Why,  you  Yanks  go  home  and  let  us  alone,  and  we 
won't  come  up  north  to  fight  you." 

"Then  you  want  your  independence  acknowledged?" 

•'  Certainly  ;  that's  what  we  are  fighting  for." 

And  this  is  the  universal  sentiment  throughout  the 
whole  South.  They  have  been  willing  and  anxious  for 
peace  from  the  beginning,  but  only  on  these  inadmissible 
terms. 

On  the  right  of  the  line,  these  amicable  relations  were 
not  maintained.  A  fine  horse  was  discovered  on  the 
south  side  of  the  river,  and  some  of  Company  H  deter 
mined  to  kill  it.  Soon  after  several  shots  were  fired,  a  bat 
tery  posted  in  our  rear,  supposing  we  were  engaged  with 
the  enemy,  opened  fire,  one  shell  blowing  a  small  fraction 
of  the  Southern  Confederacy  into  atoms..  Two  others  at 
the  same  time  were  wounded.  Some  of  the  shells,  how 
ever,  were  cut  short,  and  a  piece  of  one  struck  one  of 
our  officers  on  the  hand  and  buried  itself  between  his 


WHITE   OAK   CHURCH.  249 

feet,  without  inflicting  more  than  a  painful  blow.  Soon 
after,  Captain  Mealey,  while  standing  behind  a  rifle-pit, 
received  a  most  painful  wound  in  the  right  arm  from  a 
sharpshooter  behind  a  tree.  Companies  B  and  H  imme 
diately  opened  an  enfilading  fire  upon  the  tree,  and  there 
is  no  doubt  the  rascal  was  killed.  Captain  Mealey's 
loss  was  severely  felt,  he  being  one  of  our  most  gallant 
officers.  The  senior  officer  present  declining  to  assume 
the  command,  it  devolved  upon  the  adjutant. 

About  this  tim?  the  extreme  right,  became  briskly 
engaged  with  the  pickets  across  the  river,  some  of  whom 
occupied  a  frame  house.  The  "  Bucktails"  mounted  a 
"  Quaker  gun,"  and  going  through  all  the  motions  of  the 
gunners  fired  in  volleys,  skedaddling  the  enemy  from 
the  house,  they  at  first  being  deceived  by  them.  Towards 
night,  the  enemy  called  over  that  as  we  had  wounded 
some  of  their  men  whom  they  wanted  to  get  and  take 
care  of,  and  as  it  was  getting  'cold,  we  had  better  stop 
fighting,  build  fires,  cook  our  suppers  and  go  to  sleep. 
The  proposition  was  at  once  agreed  to,  and  soon  bright 
fires  lined  both  banks  of  the  river,  and  the  boys  were 
talking  and  joking  as  if  they  were  old  friends. 

Towards  night  Captain  Connors  rejoined  and  took 
command  of  the  regiment,  he  having  recovered  from  his 
wound  at  Bull  Kun.  Late  that  night  we  were  relieved 
by  some  New  York  troops,  and  proceeded  to  a  neigh 
boring  woods,  built  fires  and  slept  with  the  Twenty-fourth 
Michigan  Volunteers. 

The  next  morning  we  marched  into  camp,  where  Cap 
tain  McDonough  assumed  command  of  the  regiment. 
The  day  after  at  noon  we  struck  tents  and  marched  about 
five  miles  and  bivouacked  in  an  open  field.  The  next 
morning,  the  20th,  we  marched  early,  about  one  mile,  and 
formed  an  encampment  in  a  thick  pine  forest  on  a  hill 
side  near  White  Oak  Church. 

Here  the  boys  made  themselves  as  comfortable  as  cir 
cumstances  would  permit.  Some  of  them  dug  pits  about 
two  leet  deep  which  they  logged  up  .some  distance  above 


250  OUR   CAMPAIGNS. 

ground  and  stretched  their  shelter  tents  over.  Comfort 
able  fire-places  and  chimneys  were  built,  and  with  an 
abundance  of  dry  leaves  to  sleep  upon,  they  got  along 
quite  comfortably.  Two  or  four  generally  bunked 
together,  and  by  splicing  blankets  and  laying  "spoon 
fashion"  they  slept  quite  warm. 

Nothing  of  importance  occurred  until  the  25th,  when 
Major-General  Meade  being  assigned  to  the  command 
of  the  Fifth  Army  Corps,tbid  farewell  to  our  division  in 
the  following  order : 

GENERAL  ORDER,  No.  101. 

HEADQUARTEKS,  THIRD  DIVISION,  ) 
December  25th,  1862.    '  ) 

In  announcing  thrr  above  order,  which  separates  the 
commanding  general  from  the  division,  he  takes  occasion 
to  express  to  the  officers  and  men,  that  notwithstanding 
his  just  pride  at  being  promoted  to  a  higher  command, 
he  experiences  a  deep  feeling  of  regret  at  parting  from 
those  with  whom  he  has  been  so  long  associated,  and  to 
whose  services  he  here  acknowledges  his  indebtedness 
for  whatever  reputation  he  may  have  acquired. 

The  commanding  general  will  never  cease  to  remem 
ber  that  he  belonged  to  the  Reserve  Corps ;  he  will  watch 
with  eagerness  for  the  deeds  of  fame  which  he  feels  sure 
they  will  enact  under  the  command  of  his  successors, 
and,  although  sadly  reduced  in  numbers  from  the  casual 
ties  of  battle,  yet  he  knows  the  Reserves  will  always  be 
ready  and  prompt  to  uphold  the  honor  and  glory  of  their 
State. 

By  command  of 

MAJOR-GENERAL  MEADE. 

(Signed.) 

EDWARD  C.  BAIRD, 

A.  A.  G. 

The  command  of  our  division  now  devolved  upon 
Colonel  Horatio  G.  Sickel,  of  the  Third  Reserves,  who 


BUKNSIDE'S  MUD  EXPEDITION.  251 

was  one  of  our  most  gallant  officers,  he  having  served 
with  great  credit  and  ability  through  all  the  battles  we 
had  fought. 

While  we  laid  here  we  experienced  constant  and  heavy 
rain  and  snow  storms,  that  turned  our  encampment  into 
a  vast  mud  puddle,  and  rendered  the  roads  almost 
impassable.  Almost  daily  details  were  made  from  the 
regiments  to  corduroy  the  roads,  and  we  passed  our  time 
about  as  disagreeably  as  possible. 

As  early  as  the  "26th,  orders  were  received  to  have 
three  days  rations  in  haversacks  and  sixty  rounds  of 
cartridges  per  man,  and  to  be  prepared  to  move  at  a 
moment's  notice. 

On  the  30th,  a  thousand  picked  cavalry  with  four 
pieces  of  artillery  under  General  Averill,  crossed  the 
Rappahannock  at  the  upper  fords  intending  to  make  a 
complete  circuit  of  Richmond,  destroying  bridges  and 
railroads  on  their  route,  and  join  General  Peck  at  Suffolk, 
where  they  were  to  be  transferred  back  to  Aquia  creek 
by  steamboats.  It  was  the  intention  that  the  main  army 
should  advance  at  the  same  time,  and  turn  the  enemy's 
right  or  left  flank,  but  through  the  unauthorized  inter 
ference  of  Generals  Cochrane  and  Newton,  who  had  pro 
ceeded  to  Washington,  the  President  was  induced  to 
suspend  the  movement. 

The  order  to  hold  ourselves  in  readiness  to  move,  was 
however,  repeatedly  renewed  up  to  January  20th,  when 
at  twelve  M.,  we  broke  camp  and  moved  up  the  river  ten 
miles,  where  we  halted  at  dark  and  bivouacked  in  a  thick 
scrub  oak  forest.  About  four  o'clock  it  commenced 
raining,  and  continued  so  to  do  without  intermission  all 
night.  By  the  next  morning  the  roads  and  the  whole 
face  of  the  country  was  impassable.  We,  however,  were 
got  under  way  about  daylight,  marching  some  three 
miles,  and  halting  near  the  river  back  of  Bank's  Ford. 
Here  the  army  was  brought  to  a  stand  still,  it  literally 
having  stuck  in  the  mud.  The  pontoon  trains  could  not 
move  at  all.  The  supply  trains  were  in  the  rear  unable 


252  OUR   CAMPAIGNS. 

to  come  up,  and  twenty-eight  horses  stalled  with  a 
cannon.  It  was  next  to  impossible  to  get  our  camp- fires 
lit,  and  the  cold  rain  descended  in  torrents  all  day.  The 
enemy,  who  for  some  time,  had  known  of  a  contemplated 
movement,  were  more  definitely  posted  from  the  fact  of 
General  Sumner  having  moved  his  wagons  and  artillery 
on  the  crest  of  the  hills  back  of  Falinouth,  in  full  view 
of  them,  and  they  were  in  force  on  the  opposite  bank  at 
the  Ford  to  meet  us,  and  tantalizingly  offered  to  send  a 
brigade  over  to  help  us  lay  our  pontoons. 

"We  remained  here  until  the  morning  of  the  23d,  when 
finding  the  utter  impracticability  of  carrying  out  the  en- 
terprize,  the  commands  were  ordered  to  retrace  their  steps 
back  to  their  various  old  camps,  and  we  reaching  ours  late 
in  the  afternoon.  Oar  division  ambulances  were  sent  out 
and  brought  in  twenty  loads  of  prostrated  men.  During 
this  movement  not  a  particle  of  forage  was  furnished  for 
the  field  and  staff  horses. 

Thus  ended  "  Burnsides'  mud  expedition." 

Soon  after  Major-general  Joseph  Hooker  was  ap 
pointed  to  the  command  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac, 
General  Burnside  being  relieved  at  his  own  request. 

Nothing  of  interest  occurred  in  camp  until  dark  on 
the  5th  of  February,  when  a  telegram  was  received  from 
General  Doubleday,  oar  division  commander,  stating  that 
in  consideration  of  the  arduous  and  gallant  services  of 
the  Eeserves,  they  were  to  be  withdrawn  to  Washington 
"to  rest  and  recruit,"  which  news  was  received  with 
great  joy.  In  despite  of  the  raw  and  unpleasant  weather, 
the  camp  fires  were  soon  burning  brightly,  around  which 
the  men  were  gathered,  talking  of  the  good  times  com 
ing.  The  next  morning  early,  the  men  were  all  up  and 
soon  every  thing  was  packed  to  move.  At  three,  P.  M.; 
the  order  to  march  came,  and  soon  after  the  bugles  rang 
out  the  joyful  "assembly,"  and  bidding  farewell  to  our 
old  camp,  and  the  gallant  One-hundred-and  twenty-first 
Pennsylvania  Volunteers,  who  had  been  temporarily 
attached  to  us  before  the  battle  of  Frederic ksburg,  we 


BULL   RUN  PICKET.  253 

took  up  our  march  for  Belle  Plains,  which  though  but 
four  miles  distance,  on  account  of  the  bad  state  of 
the  roads,  was  not  reached  until  after  dark.  Here, 
in  the  freezing  cold  and  deep  mud,  we  had  to  stand 
until  two  o'clock  the-  next  morning  before  we  could 
embark,  soon  after  which  we  were  on  our  way  up  the 
Potomac,  and  landed  at  Alexandria  at  nine,  A.  M.,  the 
same  day.  After  some  delay,  we  marched  through  the 
city  to  near  the  Cemetery,  where  we  laid  last  April,  and 
there  on  a  bleak  hill  bivouacked. 

Captain  McDonough  being  taken  sick  was  sent  home, 
and  the  command  of  the  regiment  devolved  upon  Cap 
tain  P.  I.  Smith.  Our  stay  here  was  very  unpleasant, 
we  having  little  or  no  wood  to  cook  with;  and  on  the- 
morning  of  the  12th,  at  eight- o'clock,  we  marched  to  the 
depot  of  the  Orange  and  Alexandria  Kailroad  and  em 
barked  upon  the  platform  cars,  and  proceeded  to  Fairfax 
Station,  where  we  alighted,  and  marching  to  Fairfax 
Court  House  proceeded  about  one  mile  beyond  and  en 
camped  in  a  heavy  woods. 

,  On  the  20th  Lieutenant-colonel  Woodward  arrived  in 
camp  and  superceded  Captain  Smith,  and  the  next  day, 
at  daylight,  our.  regiment  started  for  Bull  Kun  to  go  on 
picket.  On  arriving  at  Union  Mills,  our  colonel  reported 
to  General  Hays,  who  sent  a  dashing  young  aid,  all 
covered  with  gold  to  receive  us.  Upon  his  arrival  he 
inquired  for  Captain  Eeitzel,  who  was  temporarily  in 
charge  of  the  regiment.  It  should  be  mentioned  here, 
that  the  officers  of  the  Keserves  were  never  particularly 
noted  for  their  fine  uniforms  and  gold  lacings,  and  es 
pecially  after  going  through  the  memorable  campaign 
of  1862.  In  fact,  Captain  Reitzel  wore  nothing  to  indi 
cate  he  was  an.  officer  but  his  sword,  and  that  was  con 
cealed  under  his  overcoat.  Besides,  the  captain,  like 
many  other  old  campaigners,  went  out  provided  with 
the  implements  of  comfort,  an  axe  and  frying-pan.  The 
aid  was  duly  saluted  by  the  captain,  who  informed  him 
he  was  the  individual  sought  for,  but  his  indignation  at 


254  OUR   CAMPAIGNS. 

the  impudence  of  the  "pioneer,"  as  lie  called  him,  waxed 
exceedingly  warm,  and  he  was  on  the  point  of  running 
him  down  when  he  discovered  his  mistake,  which  created 
a  hearty  laugh  all  round,  in  which  the  little  German  aid 
joined.  In  the  mean  time,  a  fine  brass  band,  sent  by 
the  general,  arrived  and  escorted  us  to  our  encampment. 
As  this  was  the  first  time  we  had  ever  been  escorted  any 
where,  except  to  the  battle-field,  the  boys  stepped  off 
quite  lively  to  the  soul-inspiring  strains. 

The  nice  little  aid,  before  parting,  made  us  generous 
promises  of  plenty  of  tents,  clothes  and  food,  with  fresh 
beef  and  bread  to  boot,  and  we  really  began  to  think  we 
had  got  into  good  quarters,  when  along  came  an  abomin 
able  orderly,  with  orders  for  us  to  fall  in  to  relieve  the 
pickets.  It  was  now  night.  We  had  just  got  our  fires 
started  and  were  preparing  our  coffee,  but  strike  tents 
and  fall  in  was  the  order,  so  off  we  started  through  the 
forests  and  over  the  hills  of  Bull  Kun  to  the  fords. 
Soon  a  blinding  snow-storm  set  in,  bewildering  and 
almost  benumbing  us.  It  was  daybreak  the  next 
morning  before  our  left  companies  reached  their  posts, 
our  line  extending  over  seven  miles.  The  snow  con 
tinued  falling  all  the  next  day,  giving  us  but  little 
opportunity  to  erect  comfortable  shelter.  Our  posts  at 
the  fords  were  almost  nightly  visited  by  the  guerrillas, 
who  exchanged  a  few  shots  with  the  pickets  and  dis 
appeared.  When  a  shot  was  fired,  not  knowing  the 
strength  or  object  of  the  enemy,  the  reserve  at  the  post 
was  turned  out,  and  as  this  occurred  several  times 
through  the  night,  the  men's  sleep  was  constantly  liable 
to  be  disturbed.  This  tour  of  duty  lasted  sixteen  days, 
and  we  were  all  glad  when  it  was  over. 

At  the  camp  near  Fairfax  Court  House  there  were  left 
over  forty  men  under  the  charge  of  the  adjutant,  com 
posed  of  the  guard,  the  sick,  and  those  in  arrest  for  going 
home^on  "  French."  At  midnight  on  the  1st  of  March  we 
were  all  aroused  by  heavy  firing  in  the  front,  and  the 
men  being  got  under  arms  were  started  for  a  swamp  in 


CAPTURE   OF  STOUGHTON.  255 

the  rear  of  the  camp,  when  an  order  came  from  Colonel 
Woodward^  commanding  our  brigade,  for  us  to  report 
to  Captain  Taylor,  commanding  the  "  Bucktails,"  where 
we  stayed  until  morning. 

The  next  night,  about  twelve  o'clock,  orders  were  re 
ceived  to  send  two  officers  and  twenty-five  men  on  picket, 
on  the  Aldie  road.  Not  having  that  many  men  to  detail, 
those  in  arrest  were  offered  their  release  if  they  would  go, 
which  they  gladly  accepted.  All,  however,  passed 
quietly  through  the  night.  These  alarms  occurred 
almost  nightly. 

Near  midnight  on  the  8th,  a  body  of  the  enemy's  cav 
alry  quietly  came  into  Fairfax  Court-  House,  and  seized 
Acting  Brigadier-General  Stoughton,  a  number  of  his 
staff  and  guard,  at  the  house  of  Miss  Ford,  and  carried 
them  off.  The  affair  was  a  bold,  dashing  act,  and  the 
officer  in  command  deserves  great  credit  for  the  adroit 
ness  with  which  he  managed  it.  No  one  was  to  blame 
for  the  mishap  but  the  colonel  himself,  whose  nomina 
tion  to  a  brigadier-generalship  was  consequently  with 
drawn  by  the  President. 

The  regiment  was  relieved  at  dark  on  the  8th,  and 
marching  down  to  Union  Mills,  we  laid  there  through 
the  night,  and  returned  to  camp  the  next  day  under  Cap 
tain  Smith,  he  again  being  the  senior  officer. 

During  the  absence  of  the  regiment,  Captain  John  M. 
Clark's  caisson  company  (F)  reported  in  camp.  They 
were  a  fine  set  of  Pennsylvanians,  numbering  sixty  mus 
kets,  and  were  welcomed  by  all.  Before  our  return 
wedge  tents  had  been  drawn  for  the  regiment,  and  put 
up  by  F,  in  a  fine  heavy  woods  were  the'  boys  found 
every  thing  comfortably  prepared  for  them. 

On  the  16th,  Colonel  Sinclair  returned  and  took  com 
mand  of  the  brigade,  and  at  noon  the  same  day,  we  broke 
camp,  and  moved  to  the  outskirts  of  the  town,  and  com 
menced  throwing  up  rifle  pits  which  commanded  the 
Centreville  road.  The  cause  of  these  precautions  were 
that  the  enemy's  cavalry  having  crossed  the  Kappahan- 


256  OUR   CAMPAIGNS. 

nock,  were  operating  on  General  Hooker's  right,  and  as 
far  north  as  this  neighborhood. 

With  the  exception  of  the  usual  night  alarms,  and 
heavy  rain  and  snow  storms,  nothing  of  note  transpired 
until  the  morning  of  the  28th,  when  we  broke  camp  and 
inarched  across  the  fields  and  through  the  woods  to  Fair 
fax  Station.  The  distance  was  but  four  miles,  but  as  it 
had  been  raining  hard  all  night  and  day,  it  took  us  as 
many  hours  to  march  it.  It  was  amusing  to  see  the  men 
laugh  and  joke  and  swear  by  turns,  trying  to  keep  up 
their  good  spirits  as  they  toiled,  under  their  heavy  knap 
sacks,  and  plunged  through  the  mud  up  to  their  knees, 
and  wet  to  the  skin.  It  was  late  before  our  wagons 
arrived,  and  temporarily  pitching  our  tents  for  the  night, 
we  managed  to  get  along  pretty  comfortably.  The  next 
day  our  camp  was  regularly  laid  out  in  a  heavy  pine 
woods,  and  all  things  put  to  rights. 

About  this  time  Lieutenant  Justus  was  appointed 
acting  quartermaster,  vice  A.  Q.  M.  Boss,  who  was  de 
tailed  on  recruiting  service. 

On  the  23d  of  April,  Captain  McDonough  arrived  in 
camp  and  assumed  command  of  the  regiment. 

Considerable  labor  was  expended  in  arranging  our 
camp,  in  felling  the  trees  not  required  for  shade,  cutting 
the  stumps  off  close  to  the  ground,  burning  the  brush 
and  rubbish,  and  thoroughly  policing  the  whole  neigh 
borhood.  The  avenues  and  streets  were  planted  with 
rows  of  heavy  cedar  trees,  which  afforded  a  cool  and 
pleasant  shade,  and  buried  our  camp  in  a  grove. 

About  the  1st  of  May,  the  commissions  of  the  follow 
ing  named  offices,  promoted  for  gallant  conduct  were 
received : 

Lieutenant-colonel  William  McCandless  to  be  Colonel 
from  November  1st,  1861,  vice  Wm.  B.  Mann,  resigned. 
Major  G.  A.  Woodward  to  be  lieutenant-colonel  from 
June  30th,  1862,  vice  William  McCandless  promoted. 
Sergeant-major  B.  M.  Woodward  to  be  adjutant,  from. 
September  18, 1862,  vice  Aug.  T.  Cross,  killed.  Quarter- 


PROMOTION'S.  257 

master  Charles  F.  Hoyt  to  be  captain  and  commissary - 
sergeant  from*  July  1st,  1862.  Commissary-sergeant  W. 
A.  Hoyt  to  be  quarter-master  from  January  6th,  1863, 
vice  Charles  F.  Hoyt,  promoted. 

Company  A. — First  Lieutenant  Daniel  H.  Connors  to 
be  captain  from  June  30th,  1862,  vice  Horace  Neidd,  pro 
moted.  Second  Lieutenant  John  J.  Eoss  to  be  first  lieu 
tenant  from  June  30th,  1862,  vice  Daniel  H.  Connors, 
promoted.  First  Sergeant  Daniel  Craig  to  be  second  lieu 
tenant  from  June  30th,  1862,  vice  John  J.  Ross,  promoted. 

Company  0. — First  Sergeant  Andrew  Casey  to  ba 
second  lieutenant  from  June  30th,  1862,  vice  James  R. 
Nightingale,  killed. 

Company  D. — First  Sergeant  Thomas  Canavan  to  be 
first  Lieutenant  from  November  25th,  1862,  vice  John 
M.  Curley,  honorably  discharged.  Second  Sergeant 
Robert  R.  Smith  to  be  second  lieutenant  from  December 
3d,  1862,  vice  George  H.  Young,  honorably  discharged. 

Company  E. — First  Sergeant  John  Taylor,  to  be  first 
lieutenant  from  July  12,  1862,  vice  J.  -Baxter  Fletcher, 
killed.  Second  Sergeant  Andrew  McLean,  to  be  second 
lieutenant  from  October  25th,  1862,  vice  Alexander  Black, 
honorably  discharged. 

Company  F. — First  Lieutenant  John  M.  Clark  to  be 
captain  from  August  1st,  1862,  vice  John  E.  Barnacle, 
honorably  discharged.  Second  Lieutenant  Robert  J. 
Clark  to  be  first  lieutenant  from  November  23d,  1862, 
vice  John  M.  Clark,  promoted. 

Company  G. — First  Sergeant  Elisha  P.  Woodward  to 
be  Second  Lieutenant  from  September  17th,  1862,  vice 
Max  Wimpfheimer,  killed. 

Company  H. — First  Sergeant  William  McGlenn  to  be 
Second  Lieutenant  from  December  25th,  1862,  vice 
Richard  Clendenning,  honorably  discharged. 

At  the  same  time  Sergeant  Joseph  Benison,  Company 
H,  was  appointed  sergeant-major,  from  January  1st,  1863, 
and  George  W.  Fernon,  Company  C,  commissary-ser 
geant,  from  January  6th,  1863. 

17 


258  OUR   CAMPAIGNS. 

The  guerrillas  about  this  time  became  exceedingly 
troublesome,  frequently  attacking  the  picket  posts  and 
railroad  trains.  In  one  of  these  attacks  a  private  of  the 
Seventh  Michigan  Cavalry  named  Andrew  McClain.  was 
wounded  and  brought  to  our  hospital,  where  he  lingered 
for  nine  days.  Upon  a  post-mortem  examination  being 
made  it  was  found  that  a  pistol  ball  had  entered  his  back 
bone  and  passed  up  through  the  spinal  marrow  eight 
inches,  which  should  have  produced  almost  instant  death. 
From  his  shoulders  down  he  was  completely  paralyzed, 
and  mortification  had  commenced  in  his  nether  limbs. 

Towards  the  latter  part  of  May,  Colonel  William  Sin 
clair  commanding  our  brigade,  resigned  as  colonel  of 
the  Sixth  Reserves,  to  take  command  of  a  battery  of 
horse  artillery  in  the  west,  and  Colonel  McCandless  suc 
ceeded  him  in  the  command. 

Lieutenant-colonel  Woodward  being  relieved  from 
duty  at  Washington,  took  command  of  our  regiment, 
Captain  McDonough  was  appointed  Major,  Sergeant- 
major  Joseph  Benison,  second  lieutenant  of  Company  H, 
and  Sergeant  D.  H.  Pidgeon  of  Company  K,  sergeant- 
major. 

On  the  2d  of  June  we  were  paid  off  by  Major  Gideon 
Ball,  six  months  being  due  us'. 

About  this  time,  Brigadier-general  S.  W.  Crawford 
was  appointed  to  the  command  of  our  division,  and 
established  his  headquarters  near  our  brigade.  As  the 
enemy  were  concentrating  on  Hooker's  right  flank,  con- ' 
siderable  skirmishing  took  place  below  in  the  neighbor 
hood  of  the  Rappahannock,  and  the  trains  were  constantly 
conveying  forage  and  provisions  there,  and  bringing  up 
wounded  soldiers  and  prisoners. 


MARCHING    NORTH.  259 


CHAPTER  XXIII. 

OUR  PETITION.    MARCH  TO  PENNSYLVANIA.   HAPPY  DAY.   BATTLE 
OF  GETTYSBURG.    LOSSES  OF  THE  ARMIES. 

SHORTLY  after  the  defeat  of  our  army  at  Chancellor- 
ville,  Governor  Curtin  became  thoroughly  convinced 
that  the  enemy  contemplated  an  invasion  of  Maryland 
and  Pennsylvania,  and  although  he  made  strenuous 
efforts  to  induce  the  General  Government  to  adopt  meas 
ures  for  defence,  he  could  not  prevail  upon  them  to  act, 
until  the  enemy  had  crossed  the  Potomac.  His  repre 
sentations  and  advice  were  unheeded  and  many  of  the 
newspapers  treated  with  levity  his  "unnecessary  alarm." 
But  at  last,  after  much  valuable  time  had  been  lost,  the 
authorities  awakened  to  the  realization  of  the  fact,  and 
commenced  vigorous  preparations  to  repel  the  invaders. 

On  the  15th,  long  trains  of  ambulances,  wagons  and 
the  reserve  artillery  from  the  army  on  the  Rappahannock 
passed  by  our  camp  moving  northward.  The  same  day 
General  Hooker  and  staff  passed  by,  and  towards  night 
the  Twelfth  Arrny  Corps  arrived.  All  were  in  most 
excellent  spirits  and  were  confident  of  victory  in  the 
coming  battle.  On  the  17th,  the  main  body  and  the  rear 
guard  of  the  army  arrived  and  resting  a  night  and  part 
of  a  day  moved  on. 

To  see  the  whole  army  moving  to  meet  the  enemy 
whom  we  knew  were  in  Pennsylvania  threatening  our 
homes  and  loved  ones,  and  for  us  to  remain  behind  was 
rather  mortifying,  and  although  we  had  sent  officers  to 
Washington  to  intercede  for  marching  orders  for  us,  we 
met  with  no  encouragement.  On  the  17th,  we  therefore, 
addressed  the  following  communication  to  Colonel 
McCandless,  who  forwarded  it  through  the  proper 
channel  to  Washington,  where  it  materially  assisted 
in  producing  the  desired  effect : 


260  OUR   CAMPAIGNS. 

HEADQUARTERS  SECOND  REGIMENT  INFANTRY,  P.  R.  V.  C.  ) 
FAIRFAX  STATION,  VA.,  June  \ltli,  1863.  ) 

To  Colonel  WILLIAM  MCCANDLESS, 

Commanding  First  Brigade, 

Pennsylvania  Reserve  Volunteer  Corps. 

COLONEL  : — "We,  the  undersigned,  officers  of  the  Second 
Kegiment  Infantry,  Pennsylvania  Keserve  Volunteer 
Corps,  having  ^learned  that  our  mother  State  has  been 
invaded  by  a  "Confederate  force,  respectfully  ask,  that 
you  will,  if  it  be  in  your  power,  have  us  ordered  within 
the  borders  of  our  State,  for  her  defence. 

Under  McCall,  Reynolds,  Meade,  Seymour,  Sinclair 
and  yourself,  we  have  more  than  once  met  and  fought 
the  enemy,  when  he  was  at  home.  We  now  wish  to 
meet  him  again  where  he  threatens  our  homes,  our 
families  and  our  firesides. 

Could  our  wish  in  this  behalf  be  realized,  we  feel 
confident  that  we  could  do  some  service  to  the  State  that 
sent  us  to  the  field,  and  not  diminish,  if  we  could  not 
increase,  the  lustre  that  already  attaches  to  our  name. 

We  are,  Colonel, 

Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servants, 

GEO.  A  WOODWARD,  Lieutenant-colonel  Second  regi 
ment  P.  R.  V.  C,  commanding  the  regiment, 
P.  McDoNOUGH,  Major  Second  regiment, 
E.  M.  WOODWARD,  Adjutant  Second  regiment, 
JAMES  C.  JUSTUS,  Acting  Quartermaster  Second  regi 
ment, 

E.  A.  JACKSON,  Assistant  Surgeon  Second  regiment, 
DANIEL  H.  CONNORS,  Captain  Company  A, 
JAMES  C.  MANTON,  Lieutenant-com'ng  Company  B, 
JAMES  K  BYRNES,  Captain  Company  C, 
THO'S  CANAVAN,  First  Lieutenant  Company  D, 
JOHN  TAYLOR,  First  Lieutenant  Co.  E, 
ANDREW  McLEAN,  Second  Lieutenant  Company  E, 
JOHN  M.  CLARK,  Captain  Company  F, 
ROBERT  J.  CLARK,  First  Lieutenant  Company  F, 


CROSSING   THE    POTOMAC.  261 

AY.  D.  REITZEL,  Captain  Company  G, 

J.  L.  RHOADS,  First  Lieutenant  Company  G, 

E.  P.  WOODWARD,  Second  Lieutenant  Company  G, 

WILLIAM  McGLENN  First  Lietenant-com'g  Company  II, 

JOSEPH  BENISON,  Second  Lieutenant  Company  H. 

In  the  mean  time  Generals  Reynolds  and  Meade  had 
both  applied  to  the  War  Department  to  have  the  Re 
serves  attached  to  their  corps.  General  Reynolds  was 
offered  in  lieu  a  full  division,  which  he  declined.  Gene 
ral  Meade,  however,  succeeded  in  having  us  assigned  to 
his  corps,  but  the  day  we  joined  him,  he  left  us  to  assume 
the  important  post  of  commander  of  the  Army  of  the 
Potomac,  the  proudest  position  any  general  in  America 
could  aspire  to. 

At  last,  on  the  25th,  orders  were  received  to  move  im 
mediately,  and  at  five  that  afternoon  we  left  Fairfax  Sta 
tion,  and  marched  in  a  northwesterly  direction  through 
Vienna,  near  which  we  bivouacked  at  eleven  o'clock 
that  night.  Just  as  we  started  it  commenced  raining, 
and  continued  so  to  do  all  night.  The  next  morning  at 
four  o'clock  we  resumed  our  march,  continuing  in  the 
same  direction  passing  between  Drainesville  and  Lees- 
burg  and  making  Goose  creek  that  night.  Through  the 
day  the  rain  was  most  violent  and  constant,  rendering 
the  roads  almost  knee-deep  in  mud,  and  as  we  were 
making  forced  marches  many  of  the  wearied  boys  fell 
out,  and  did  not  get  up  with  us  until  daylight  the  next 
morning.  Rain,  however,  is  preferable  to  dust. 

The  Third  brigade,  Colonel  J.  W.  Fisher,  joined  us  in 
the  morning  from  Alexandria ;  the  Second  brigade, 
Colonel  H.  G.  Sickel,  being  retained  for  the  defence  of 
Washington.  The  next  morning,  at  daylight,  we  re 
sumed  our  march,  passing  near  a  portion  of  the  field  of 
the  "  Ball's  Bluff'  massacre,"  and  crossing  the  Potomac  at 
Edwards'  Ferry  on  pontoons.  That  night  we  made  the 
mouth  of  the  Monocacy  in  spite  of  the  heavy  roads. 

Sunday  the  28th  was  a  clear  and  pleasant  day,  and  at 


262  OUR  CAMPAIGNS. 

daylight  we  moved  off  and  soon  crossed  the  aqueduct  of 
the  Chesapeake  and  Ohio  Canal  over  the  Monocaey,  and 
passing  through  Buckeystown  we  bivouacked  about  two 
miles  from  Frederick.  Here  we  came  up  with  the 
main  army,  and  reported  to  General  Sykes,  commanding 
the  Fifth  Army  Corps,  to  which  we  were  assigned. 
This  corps,  until  then,  had  been  commanded  by  General 
Meade,  who  had  made  application  to  have  us  sent  to 
him,  but  the  day  of  our  arrival  General  Hooker  was  re 
lieved  of  the  command  of  the  army,  and  he  assigned  to  it. 

We  started  the  next  day  at  noon,  and  moving  a  few 
miles  halted  in  a  lane  nearly  all  the  afternoon,  and  at 
seven  crossed  the  Monocacy  bridge  on  the  Baltimore 
pike,  and  turned  up  the  banks  of  the  stream  heading 
north.  Soon  after  we  waded  the  stream  and  struck 
across  the  fields,  and  about  ten  o'clock  bivouacked  in  a 
wood,  having  made  a  tiresome  day's  march  of  but  ten 
miles.  This  slow  marching  was  occasioned  by  our  being 
the  rear  guard  of  the  Reserve  artillery,  which  consisted 
of  two  hundred  and  forty-eight  guns,  supplied  with  two 
hundred  and  fifty  rounds  of  ammunition  each,  making  in 
all  six-two  thousand  rounds.  Before  night  that  day  the 
enemy's  cavalry  entered  Frederick.  That  night  heavy 
details  were  made  from  our  regiment  for  a  wagon  guard. 

The  next  morning  we  marched  early,  passing  through 
Liberty,  Union  Bridge  and  Union  Town,  where  a  pon 
toon  train  thaf  accompanied  us  that  day  created  much 
wonderment  among  the  rustics,  who  did  not  believe  we 
could  do  much  with  our  "gun  boats"  up  in  the  moun 
tains.  We  marched  twenty  miles  and  bivouacked  near 
dark  two  miles  beyond  Union  Town  and  mustered 
for  pay. 

The  next  morning,  July  1st,  we  moved  at  five  o'clock, 
and  ascertaining  that  the  enemy's  scouts  had  been  in  the 
neighborhood  the  day  before,  each  regiment  threw  out 
flankers  to  the  right  and  left,  in  which  way  we  advanced 
for  several  miles,  when  the  country  became  of  such  a 
nature  that  cavalry  could  not  operate  against  us,  and 


CROSSING   THE   LINE.  263 

they  were  called  in.  About  two  we  halted  within  a  few 
hundred  yards  of  the  Pennsylvania  State  line,  and  rested 
ourselves.  That  day  was  one  of  the  happiest  of  our 
lives,  and  every  heart  beat  warm  with  the  thought,  we 
would  soon  press  the  soil  of  our  mother  State,  in  whose 
defence  we  were  marching.  The  brigade  bands  and  regi 
mental  drum  corps  poured  forth  their  soul-inspiring  airs 
from  morning  till  night,  and  light  was  the  tread  of  our 
feet  to  their  notes.  About  three  o'clock  we  were  drawn 
up  to  hear  a  patriotic  address  from  General  Crawford, 
after  which  we  marched  on,  and  as  we  crossed  the  line, 
cheer  after  cheer  rang  out  from  the  regiments,  which 
rolled  over  the  hills  and  through  the  valleys  until  lost 
in  the  far  distance.  Soon  we  came  to  a  fine  open  woods 
where  we  halted  until  night,  rolling  on  the  good  old  soil 
of  Pennsylvania  and  listening  to  the  sweet  airs  of  the 
bands.  Abundance  of  rations  and  sixty  rounds  of  car 
tridges  per  man  were  distributed,  the  former  for  our 
selves  and  the  latter  for  our  friends  the  "  Graybacks." 

While  lying  here,  through  the  branches  above,  amidst 
the  bright  sunshine,  a  large  star  was  discerned  shining 
over  us  with  all  the  brilliancy  of  a  heavenly  visitant, 
which  was  gazed  upon  by  all  with  great  interest,  and 
received  as  an  omen  of  victory,  which,  happily,  it  proved 
to  be. 

While  here  all  our  wagons  were  sent  to  Westminster, 
some  twenty-five  miles  from  the  battle-field,  and  the 
ammunition  wagons  and  ambulances  were  pushed  for 
ward.  At  dark  we  again  took  up  our  march,  and  a  long 
weary  one  it  proved.  We  did  not  rest  until  two  the 
next  morning,  when  we  laid  down  in  an  open  woods, 
having  made  twenty  miles  during  the  day  and  being  awake 
twenty -two  hours.  But  in  one  hgur's  time  the  drums 
beat  the  reveille,  and  soon  after  we  were  again  in  motion, 
moving  slowly  and  cautiously  along  the  roads  and  across 
the  fields,  and  about  noon  we  struck  the  pike  and  soon 
filed  off  to  the  left  into  a  field  in  the  rear  of  the  line  of 
battle. 


264  OUR    CAMPAIGN'S. 

THE  BATTLE  OF  GETTYSBURG,  JULY  IST,  2D,  AKT>  3D. — 
The  enemy,  who,  as  early  as  the  13th  ult.  gave  battle  to 
General  Milroy,  at  Winchester,  Virginia,  and  the  next 
day  precipitated  him  to  a  disastrous  and  disgraceful 
flight,  with  their  advance  guard,  one  thousand  five 
hundred  strong,  under  General  Jenkins,  entered  Cham- 
bersburg,  Pennsylvania,  at  eight  and  a  half  P.  M.,  on 
the  15th,  but  being  without  infantry  support,  evacuated 
the  same  on  the  17th  and  withdrew  to  Hagerstown, 
Maryland  with  the  horses  and  cattle  they  had  plundered 
the  defenceless  farmers  of.  The  enemy  continued  to 
cross  the  Potomac  in  force,  and  on  the  night  of  the  30th 
had  concentrated  within  a  short  distance  of  Gettysburg, 
seventy-six  thousand  infantry  and  a  large  number  of 
cavalry.  Confronting  this  was  the  First  Corps,  General 
Reynolds,  eight  thousand  strong;  the  Eleventh  Corps, 
General  Howard,  fifteen  thousand;  and  six  thousand 
cavalry  under  General  Buford,  making  a  total  of  twenty- 
nine  thousand  men. 

For  this  little  band  of  Union  troops  to  give  battle  to 
such  an  overwhelming  force  of  the  enemy,  seemed  the 
extreme  of  rashness,  but  the  eagle  eye  of  Reynolds  saw 
at  a  glance,  that  to  secure  and  hold,  until  the  main  body 
of  our  army  arrived,  the  ridges  and  positions  upon  which 
the  great  battle  was  subsequently  fought  was  of  vital 
importance  to  the  success  of  our  arms.  He  was  too  true 
a  soldier  to  shrink  from  the  responsibility  of  defeat, 
when  the  good  of  the  cause  demanded  battle,  and  he 
hesitated  not  to  engage  the  enemy. 

On  the  morning  of  the  1st  of  July,  at  half  past  nine 
o'clock,  General  Buford  dismounted  a  portion  of  his 
cavalry  and  commenced  skirmishing  with  the  enenry, 
who  had  debouched  his  infantry  through  the  mountains 
on  Cashtown,  and  about  ten  o'clock  several  pieces  of  light 
artillery  were  brought  into  play.  Soon  after  General 
Reynolds  moved  around  the  town  of  Gettysburg  and 
advanced  on  the  Cashtown  road,  and  immediately  deploy 
ing  his  advance  division,  attacked  the  enemy,  and  at  the 


THE   BATTLE   OF   GETTYSBURG. 

ing  his  troops  on  an  extreme  ridge,  about  one  mile  and 
a  half  distant  from  the  line"  occupied  by  us. 

At  two  o'clock,  the  Sixth  Corps  arrived,  after  a  march 
of  thirty -two  miles,  which  was  accomplished  from  nine 
P.  M.,  of  the  day  previous.  The  Fifth  Corps  was  imme 
diately  moved  to  the  extreme  left,  and  the  Sixth  taking 
its  place  as  a  reserve  for  the  right. 

About  three,  General  Sickles,  not  fully  apprehending 
his  instructions  in  regard  to  the  position  to  be  occupied, 
advanced  his  corps  a  half  or  three-quarters  of  a  mile  in 
the  front  of  the  line  of  the  Second  Corps  on  a  prolonga 
tion  which  it  was  designed  his  corps  should  rest.  Gene 
ral  Meade,  perceiving  the  movement,  hastened  to  the 
spot,  and  was  about  arranging  for  the  withdrawal  of  the 
corps,  from  its  too  far  advanced  position,  when  the 
enemy  opened  upon  them  with  several  batteries  in  front 
and  flank,  and  immediately  brought  forward  columns  of 
infantry,  and  made  a  vigorous  assault.  The  Third 
Corps  sustained  the  shock  most  heroically,  and  troops 
from  the  Second  Corps  were  immediately  sent  to  cover 
their  right  flank,  and  soon  after  the  assault  commenced. 

The  Fifth  Corps  most  fortunately  arrived,  and  the 
First  and  Second  divisions  were  immediately  posted  on 
the  left  of  the  Third  by  Major-general  Sykes.  Soon  the 
cannonading  became  general  along  our  left  and  centre, 
answered  by  the  guns  of  the  enemy,  of  which  more  than 
one  hundred  were  placed  in  circuit  on  the  Seminary 
Eidge  and  on  the  hill  east  of  the  town.  Our,  troops  went 
forward  in  gallant  style  and  engaged  the  enemy  in  a 
most  terrific  struggle  at  Sherby's  peach  orchard  and  the 
adjoining  grounds  near  the  Emmetsburg  road.  Both 
parties  fought  with  desperation,  but  at  last  our  men  over 
powered  began  to  give  way.  Kallied  by  their  officers, 
they  arrested  and  hurled  back  the  advancing  column 
for  a  short  time ;  but  finding  themselves  hard  pressed 
by  an  overwhelming  mass  of  the  enemy,  they  gave  way 
a  second  time.  This  was  the  most  critical  moment  of 
the  day.  The  point  aimed  at  by  tlu  enemy  was  to  break 


OUR  CAMPAIGNS. 

thousand  nine  hundred  prisoners,  all  of  whom  were 
retaken,  and  a  Mississippi  regiment,  numbering  eight 
hundred  men  made  prisoners. 

About  the  time  of  the  withdrawal,  Major-general 
Hancock  arrived  upon  the  field  and  took  command,  and 
in  conjunction  with  General  Howard  proceed  to  post  the 
troops  on  Cemetery  ridge,  and  to  repel  the  attack  that 
the  enemy  made  on  our  right  flank.  This  attack  was 
not,  however,  very  vigorous;  the  enemy,  seeing  the 
strength  of  the  position  occupied,  seemed  to  be  satisfied 
with  the  success  he  had  accomplished,  desisting  from  any 
further  attack  that  day. 

About  seven  o'clock,  P.  M.,  Major-generals  Slocum 
and  Sickles,  with  the  Twelfth  Corps  and  part  of  the 
Third,  reached  the  ground,  and  took  position  on  the  right 
and  left  of  the  troops  previously  posted.  At  one  o'clock 
the  next  morning,  General  Meade  arrived  and  assumed 
command. 

Early  on  the  morning  of  the  2d,  the  Second  and  part 
of  the  Fifth  Corps,  with  the  rest  of  the  Third  arrived, 
and  were  posted  as  follows :  the  Eleventh  Corps  retain 
ing  its  position  on  Cemetery  ridge,  just  opposite  to  the 
town  •  the  First  Corps  was  posted  on  the  right,  the 
Eleventh  on  an  elevated  knoll,  connecting  with  the  ridge 
and  extending  to  the  south  and  east,  on  which  the 
Twelfth  Corps  was  placed,  the  right  of  the  Twelfth 
Corps  resting  on  Kock  creek,  a  small  stream  at  a  point 
where  it  crossed  the  Baltimore  pike,  and  which  formed 
on  the  right  flank  of  the  Twelfth  something  of  an 
obstacle. 

Cemetery  ridge  extended  in  a  westerly  and  southerly 
direction,  gradually  diminishing  in  elevation,  till  it  came 
to  a  very  prominent  ridge,  called  "Bound  Top,"  running 
east  and  west.  The  Second  and  Third  Corps  occupied 
the  continuation  of  Cemetery  ridge,  on  the  left  of  the 
Eleventh  Corps  und  Fifth  Corps;  and  pending  their 
arrival  the  Sixth  Corps  was  held  in  reserve.  While 
these  dispositions  were  being  made,  the  enemy  was  mass- 


THE   BATTLE   OF   GETTYSBURG. 

same  time  sent  orders  for  the  Eleventh  Corps,  General 
Howard,  to  advance  as  promptly  as  possible. 

Soon  after  making  his  disposition  for  attack,  Gene 
ral  Reynolds  fell  mortally  wounded;  the  command 
of  the  First  Corps  devolving  on  Major-general  Double- 
day,  and  of  the  field,  on  Major-general  Howard, 
who  arrived  about  half  past  eleven,  A.  M.,  with  the 
Eleventh  Corps,  then  commanded  by  Major-general 
Sohurz.  General  Howard  pushed  forward  two  divisions 
of  the  Eleventh  Corps  to  support  the  First  Corps,  now 
warmly  engaged  with  the  enemy  on  the  north  of  the 
town,  and  posted  his  third  division,  with  three  batteries, 
on  the  Cemetery  ridge,  on  the  south  side  of  the  town. 
Prior  to  the  arrival  of  the  Eleventh  Corps  the  First  had 
fought  with  determined  bravery,  double  their  number, 
for  two  hours,  and  not  only  held  their  own,  but  drove 
the  enemy  back  in  their  furious  charges,  and  about  one 
P.  M.  Wadsworth's  division  captured  General  Archer 
and  his  whole  brigade,  numbering  about  one  thousand 
five  hundred  men,  who  had  attempted  to  flank  them. 

Between  one  and  two  o'clock  the  enemy  received 
reinforcements  on  the  Cashtown  road,  and  Ewell's  Corps 
came  in  on  the  York  and  Harrisburg  roads  and  formed 
a  junction,  which  enabled  them  to  bring  vastly  superior 
forces  against  both  the  First  and  the  Eleventh  Corps, 
outflanking  our  line  of  battle  and  pressing  it  so  severely 
that,  about  four  o'clock  General  Howard  deemed  it  pru 
dent  to  withdraw  these  two  corps  to  the  Cemetery  ridge, 
on  the  south  side  of  the  town,  which  operation  was  suc 
cessfully  accomplished,  but  not,  however,  without  the 
loss  of  about  two  thousand  five  hundred  prisoners,  who 
being  much  crowded  in  passing  through  the  streets,  and 
somewhat  confused,  were  unable  to  repel  the  enemy  who 
pressed  hard  upon  them.  At  this  time  the  combined 
forces  of  Heath,  Pender,  Khoads,  and  Early,  amounted 
to  forty  thousand  men,  while  those  opposed  to  them  did 
not  exceed  twenty  thousand.  At  one  time,  during  the 
alternate  advance  and  backward  movements,  we  lost  one 


'268 


OUR    CAMPAIGNS. 


our  left  and  flank  us,  and  this  they  would  have  accom 
plished,  if  succor  had  not  speedily  arrived. 

At  this  movement,  about  half-past  five  o'clock,  the 
Pennsylvania  Reserves,  which  until  then  had  been  held 
in  reserve,  were  brought  forward  and  formed  by  brigades 
in  columns  of  regiments,  on  the  brow  of  "Little  Round 
Top,"  upon  which  was  posted  one  of  their  batteries. 
Before  them,  from  the  base  of  the  rugged  height, 
stretched  a  broad  meadow,  skirted  on  its  outer  edge  by 
heavy  timber,  from  which  emerged  the  victorious 
enemy,  driving  before  them  the  scattered  regiments  of 
the  First  and  Second  divisions  of  the  Fifth  Corps  and  the 
Third.  Most  gallantly  did  the  brave  fellows  dispute  the 
ground,  but  the  overpowering  masses  of  the  enemy  swept 
victoriously  on,  and  their  wild  shout  of  triumph  rang 
through  the  valley.  Our  battery  to  the  right  belched 
forth  its  sheets  of  flame  and  smoke,  hurling  its  missiles 
of  death  over  the  heads  of  the  flying  mass  into  the 
enemy.  Immovable  and  firm  stood  the  Reserves,  rest 
ing  on  their  arms,  silently  gazing  on  the  magnificent 
and  grand  sight,  until  our  broken  masses  had  passed  to 
the  right,  and  the  enemy  had  advanced  within  fifty  paces, 
when  the  gallant  Crawford,  seizing  the  standard  of  the 
First,  whose  bearer  had  been  shot  down,  waved  it  aloft 
and  cried  out,  "  Forward,  Reserves."  With  a  simulta 
neous  shriek  from  every  throat,  that  sounded  as  if  coming 
from  a  thousand  demons,  who  had  burst  their  lungs  in 
uttering  it,  on  swept  the  Reserves,  delivering,  as  they 
started,  a  solid  volley,  and  careering  victoriously  over 
the  field,  halted  not  a  moment  until  they  reached  tho 
stone  wall,  bordering  on  the  skirting  of  woods,  where 
the  surprised  enemy  made  their  last  desperate  rally  to 
retrieve  the  day.  ISTot  a  moment  was  lost.  On  went  the 
glorious  flags  to  the  wall,  standard  bearer  after  bearer 
was  shot  down,  but  with  empty  muskets  the  column 
pressed  on,  and  leaping  over,  bayonetted  and  scattered 
in  flight  the  proud  foe,  from  whose  brows  they  wrenched 
the  laurels  of  victory. 


THE   BATTLE   OF   GETTYSBUKG. 

ment.  When  some  enterprising  "Confed."  was  well 
posted  and  annoyed  us  much  two  or  three  would  arrange 
their  plans  to  knock  him  over,  and  creeping  up  cautiously 
from  different  directions,  one  of  the  men  would  draw  his 
fire,  while  another  on  his  flank  would  shoot  him.  One 
scamp  got  up  a  tree  and  succeeded  in  killing  several  men, 
when  his  locality  was  discovered;  two  of  the  boys 
started  after  him,  and  got  under  the  tree  before  he  saw 
them.  He  immediately  cried  out  he  would  come  down, 
to  which  they  replied,  they  knew  that  very  well,  and 
they  rattled  him  through  the  branches  a  few  moments 
afterward.  Another  individual  whom  they  afterwards 
discovered  doing  an  extensive  business  in  the  same  style, 
they  left  hanging  in  tfhe  crotches  of  a  tree  with  his  head 
and  feet  towards  the  ground.  The  boys  never  showed 
»any  mercy  to  these  "tree  frogs." 

Thus  the  day  wore  on  until  one  P.  M.,  when  the  enemy 
opened  upon  our  lines  with  over  one  hundred  and  thirty 

funs,  playing  principally  upon  our  left  and  centre.  This 
re  was  immediately  responded  to  on  our  side,  and  for 
o.ver  two  hours  the  most  terrific  cannonading  probably 
ever  witnessed  on  this  continent  was  kept  up.  The  guns 
poured  forth  their  missiles  of  death  that  went  whizzing, 
screaming  and  bursting  through  the  air,  until  the  earth 
fairly  trembled,  and  it  seemed  as  if  the  very  vault  of 
heaven  had  been  rent  asunder. 

About  half-past  three  o'clock,  the  enemy  in  two  long 
and  massive  lines  was  seen  emerging  from  the  woods  of 
Seminary  ridge  to  the  south  of  McMillan's  orchard,  and 
moving  over  the  plains  towards  the  left  centre.  When 
they  had  reached  one-third  of  the  distance  between  the 
two  opposing  lines,  our  artillery  opened  upon  them  with 
shell  and  grape,  staggering  them  for  a  few  moments, 
when,  with  a  terrific  yell,  they  rushed  to  the  charge. 
Our  men  quietly  awaited  until  they  had  approached 
within  short  range  when  they  opened  upon  them  a  deadly 
fire  of  musketry  that  mowed  them  down  like  grass. 
After  a  desperate  struggle,  the  enemy  Were  driven  back 


270  OUR   CAMPAIGNS. 

During  the  assault  on  the  left,  the  Sixth  Corps  and 
part  of  the  First,  together  with  detachments  from  the 
Second  and  Twelfth  Corps,  were  all  brought  up  at 
different  periods  to  assist  in  the  repulse,  and  about  eight 
P.  M.,  an  assault  was  made  on  the  Eleventh  Corps  from 
the  left  of  the  town,  which  was  repulsed  by  the  assistance 
of  troops  from  the  Second  and  First  Corps. 

During  the  absence  of  a  portion  of  the  Twelfth,  the 
line  on  the  extreme  right  was  held  by  a  very  much 
reduced  force.  This  was  taken  advantage  of  by  the 
enemy,  who,  during  the  absence  of  General  Geary's 
division  of  that  corps,  advanced,  and  occupied  part  of 
the  line.  The  musketry  fighting  here  continued  from 
seven  until  half-past  nine  o'clock. 

General  Geary  having  returned  during  the  night,  and 
being  reinforced  by  a  portion  of  the  Sixth  Corps,  at 
dawn  of  day  on  the  third,  opened  upon  the  enemy  with 
artillery  at  the  point  where  they  had  penetrated  our 
lines  the  evening  previous.  This  was  followed  by  a 
genera]  infantry  attack,  and  soon  the  battle  raged 
furiously,  and  was  maintained  with  desperate  obstinacy 
on  both  sides'  from  half-past  four  to  half-past  ten,  A.  M., 
when  the  enemy  were  driven  back  with  great  slaughter 
and  our  former  position  re-occupied. 

At  daybreak  on  the  3d,  the  enemy's  line  of  skirmishers 
in  our  brigade  front  being  reinforced,  they  opened  with 
great  spirit,  the  noise  of  the  musketry  almost  resembling 
that  of  a  regular  battle.  Our  own  line  was  promptly  rein 
forced  by  volunteers  who  freely  responded  to  them,  but 
soon  after  the  fire  on  both  sides  slackened  and  settled 
down  to  the  common-place  picket  fighting.  This  work 
was  kept  up  until  about  five  P.  M.,  during  which  time 
we  were  much  annoyed  by  the  sharpshooters  posted  in  the 
trees,  and  a  number  of  men  of  the  other  regiments  were 
killed  and  wounded  by  them.  This  kind  of  fighting  gave 
excellent  opportunities  for  the  display  of  individual 
bravery  and  address,  and  the  manoeuvring  of  the  boys 
to  get  good  shots  at  times  created  considerable  amuse- 


THE   BATTLE   OF   GETTYSBURG. 

One  loud  shout  of  triumph  rang  through  the  valley 
and  over  the  hills,  and  it  was  with  the  utmost  difficulty 
the  men  could  be  restrained  from  following  the  enemy 
further.  But  prudence  forbade  it,  and  our  regiment  was 
ordered  to  halt  and  fall  back  to  the  wall  by  Captain 
Smith. 

After  the  excitement  and  heat  of  battle  is  over,  every 
one  is  suddenly  taken  with  thirst,  and  to  get  water  is 
the  first  care  of  the  soldier.  Down  the  centre  of  the 
meadow  we  crossed,  run  a  small  creek — Plum  run — and 
to  it  the  thirsty  ones  repaired,  to  fill  their  canteens.  It 
was  found  almost  choked  with  the  dead  and  wounded, 
who  had  fallen  in,  while  attempting  to  cross.  It  was  the 
only  place  from  which  we  could  get  water.  After  this 
we  set  to  work  gathering  our  wounded  and  those  of 
other  regiments  who  had  been  driven  from  the  field,  and 
who  lay  thick  in  every  direction.  This  work  occupied 
many  of  us  the  most  of  the  night,  but  it  was  light  labor 
to  relieve  the  sufferings  of  our  comrades.  Nor  were  the 
enemy's  wounded  neglected,  they  being  treated  with  the 
same  kindness  and  care  that  our  own  received,  as  every 
old  soldier  holds  that  after  the  battle  is  over  there  are 
no  enemies  upon  the  field. 

The  Third  brigade  of  the  Reserves  being  posted  to 
our  left  on  "  Bound  Top,"  and  that  position  and  flank 
being  threatened  by  the  enemy,  they  had  not  the  oppor 
tunity  of  participating  in  the  charge,  with  the  exception 
of  the  Eleventh  regiment  Colonel  Jackson,  who  being 
next  to  us,  could  not  resist  the  temptation  and  went  in. 
We  won  the  Eleventh  fairly  that  day,  and  soon  after  at 
the  solicitation  of  its  officers  it  was  wedded  to  our  brigade. 

That  night  a  heavy  line  of  pickets  were  thrown  out  in 
front,  under  Lieutenant  McLean,  ammunition  was  distri 
buted,  and  the  boys  stretched  their  weary  limbs  to  rest, 
and  slept,  regardless  of  the  skirmishing  of  the  pickets 
which  was  kept  up  off  and  on  all  night.  But  the  balls 
whizzed  harmlessly  over  head,  and  the  noise  disturbed 
not  their  slumbers. 


272  OUR  CAMPAIGNS. 

with  great  slaughter,  losing  three  thousand  five  hundred 
prisoners,  and  fifteen  stands  of  colors.  During  this 
assault  Major-general  Hancock  commanding  the  left 
centre,  and  Brigadier-general  Gibbon  commanding  the 
Second  Corps,  were  severely  wounded,  and  of  the  enemy 
Generals  Kemper  was  severely  wounded,  Arrnistead  mor 
tally,  and  Garnett  was  killed. 

During  the  afternoon,  the  enemy  had  been  annoying  the 
Third  brigade  of  Reserves,  who  held  "Round  Top,"  and 
attempted  to  turn  the  left  flank,  and  heavy  skirmishing 
was  kept  up  between  them.  Our  own  front  had  been 
greatly  annoyed  by  the  enemy's  sharpshooters  and  a  bat 
tery  posted  about  one  thousand  yards  distant  on  the 
crest  of  a  gentle  elevation.  To  get  rid  of  these,  General 
Crawford  ordered  Colonel  McCandless  to  "  capture  the 
battery  and  clean  the  enemy  out,"  with  his  brigade,  for 
which  purpose  the  "  Bucktails,"  the  First,  the  Second, 
and  the  Eleventh  were  advanced  in  line  of  battle  over 
the  stone  wall,  and  through  the  skirting  of  woods  to  a 
wheat  field,  where  they  drew  the  fire  of  the  battery,  upon 
which  they  were  laid  down  until  it  ceased,  when  they 
were  again  put  in  motion  to  the  left  and  then  to  the 
right,  thus  displaying  themselves  and  drawing  the  fire, 
until  the  Sixth,  under  Colonel  Ent,  had  crept  up  close 
to  the  battery,  which  they  stormed  with  great  gallantry, 
and  through  a  shower  of  grape  and  canister  captured 
one  gun  and  two  caissons. 

When  the  Sixth  had  become  fairly  engaged,  Colonel 
McCandless  marched  the  balance  ofj  his  brigade  by  the 
right  flank,  and  filing  left  formed  in  line  of  battle  in  a 
woods  at  right  angles  with  the  stone  wall,  and  deploying 
skirmishers  to  the  front,  right  and  left,  charged  on  double 
quick  over  the  field  for  half  a  mile,  receiving  the  enemy's 
fire  from  the  woods  on  three  sides.  Half  wheeling  to 
the  right  and  pouring  a  few  volleys  into  the  woods,  they 
charged  through  them  up  to  the  crest,  driving  every 
thing  before  them.  Here,  halting  for  a  few  moments, 
they  about  faced,  wheeled  the  line  a  little  to  the  right, 


THE  BATTLE  OF  GETTY3BUBG.         273 

and  charged  through  the  woods  in  their  rear,  running 
like  hounds,  and  yelping  like  devils  down  through  the 
meadow  and  up  over  the  steep  acclivity  on  the  opposite 
side,  surprising  the  enemy  and  taking  them  on  the  flank, 
and  doubling  them  .up  and  driving  regiments  and 
brigades  pell-mell  before  them  in  utter  confusion.  The 
gallant  efforts  of  their  officers  to  rally  them  were  use 
less,  we  had  them  fairly  on  the  run,  and  did  not  cease 
following  them  until  we  had  penetrated  far  into  their 
lines. 

The  trophies  of  this  brilliant  raid  into  their  line  of 
battle,  besides  those  captured  by  the  Sixth,  were  six 
thousand  stand  of  arms,  the  flag  of  the  Fifteenth  Georgia, 
and  three  hundred  prisoners,  including  a  colonel  and 
many  line  officers.  The  ground  was  strewn  with-  their 
dead  and  wounded,  and  the  remainder  of  their  division 
was  scattered  in  flight.  Night  was  now  fast  approaching, 
we  were  nearly  two  miles  from  our  starting  point,  and 
we  had  entered  the  open  ground,  where  the  smallness  of 
our  force  could  be  discovered.  Prudence  demanded  we 
should  withdraw,  and  therefore  McCandless  with  his 
brigade  retraced  his  steps  for  some  distance ;  when  halt 
ing,  we  encircled  ourselves  with  pickets,  and  slept  upon 
our  arms. 

Such  was  the  surprise  of  the  enemy  at  our  last  charge, 
that  their  prisoners  told  us,  that  at  the  time  we  attacked 
them,  they  supposed  we  were  nearly  a  mile  off.  Even 
their  butchers  were  killed  while  engaged  in  skinning 
beeves,  and  a  fatigue  party  who  were  burying  their  dead 
was  captured.  A  prisoner  was  asked  what  regiment  he 
belonged  to,  and  replied,  the  Nineteenth  Georgia.  "  Why, 
we  captured  you  at  Fredericksburg."  "Are  you  the 
Second  Pennsylvania  Reserves  ?  d — n  you,  you  always 
give  us  h — 11  when  you  meet  us." 

With  this  may  be  said  to  have  ended  the  battle  of 
Gettysburg,  and  it  was  looked  upon  as  one  of  the  most 
brilliant  exploits  of  the  field.  Colonel  McCandless  dis 
played  cool  courage  and  military  genius  of  the  highest 

18 


274  OUR   CAMPAIGNS. 

order,  handling  his  brigade  in  most  splendid  style,  and 
withdrawing  it  at  the  right  time.  The  conception  of  the 
idea  of  making  a  raid  directly  into  the  enemy's  line  of 
battle,  of  throwing  out  skirmishers  in  the  front  and  on 
both  flanks,  of  charging  the  enemy  on  the  right  and  left 
front  and  rear  by  turns,  in  fact  being  outflanked  and 
having  our  rear  turned  at  the  same  time,  was  bold  and 
dashing,  and  showed  the  full  confidence  of  the  leader  in 
himself  and  men. 

Generals  Meade,  Sykes,  and  Crawford  and  many  other 
officers  from  "  Round  Top,"  saw  the  brigade  start;  and 
watched  it  as  long  as  in  sight.  With  the  din  and  lull 
of  battle  their  hopes  arose  and  fell,  and  when  they  found 
it  receded  far  from  them,  though  knowing  we  were  driving 
the  enemy,  they  feared  the  ultimate  result,  and  sent  sup 
port,  which  met  us  on  our  way  back,  and  received  us 
with  hearty  cheers.  When  an  aid  announced  to  them 
the  complete  success  of  the  raid,  they  shook  hands  and 
congratulated  each  other,  manifesting  the  liveliest  satis 
faction. 

As  soon  as  we  halted  for  the  night,  stretchers  and  am 
bulances  were  sent  to  gather  up  our  wounded  who  had 
laid  upon  the  field  from  the  day  before,  and  who  had 
suffered  the  pangs  of  many  deaths.  All  night  long  and 
until  noon  the  next  day,  were  we  thus  engaged  in  the 
willing  but  painful  work.  The  poor  fellows  had  suffered 
terribly  for  water,  and  had  been  robbed  of  all  their 
money  and  valuables,  and  some  of  them  of  their  cloth 
ing.  Large  details  were  also  made  to  collect  the  arms 
and  before  morning  over  six  thousand  rifles  and  muskets 
were  gathered  and  taken  to  the  rear. 

Ammunition  was  procured  and  distributed  to  the  men 
during  the  night,  and  at  two  o'clock  on  the  morning  of 
the  "  glorious  Fourth,"  our  regiment  and  the  Sixth  were 
moved  to  a  more  advanced  post  as  pickets,  and  soon  after 
daylight  the  enemy  discovering  us,  their  pickets  opened 
upon  us,  which  we  returned  with  much  spirit.  About 
nine  o'clock  the  'Regulars,  who  composed  the  second 


THE   BATTLE   OF   GETTYSBUKG.  275 

division  of  our  corps,  advanced  a  splendid  line  of  skir 
mishers,  supported  by  two  lines  of  battle,  driving  in  the 
enemy's  pickets  and  fully  drawing  their  fire,  when  the 
object  for  which  they  advanced,  viz. :  to  ascertain  the 
position,  strength  and  composition  of  the  enemy,  being 
obtained  they  withdrew  to  the  rear  again.  When  they 
advanced,  our  boys  opened  briskly  upon  the  enemy,  to 
draw  their  fire  from  the  skirmishers,  and  some  of  them 
joined  in  the  advance.  Upon  their  retiring,  the  enemy 
fired  a  few  shells,  and  then  quietly  advanced  their 
picket  line  again,  and  settled  down  to  exchanging  an 
occasional  shot  in  the  usual  quiet  manner.  While  here, 
three  thousand  rounds  of  ammunition  were  distributed 
to  tbe  men.  About  one  P.  M.,  we  were  relieved,  and 
during  a  heavy  rain  moved  to  our  old  position  at  the 
stone  wall,  having  been  under  an  almost  constant  fire  for 
forty-three  hours. 

Never  in  any  battle  did  the  Eeserve  show  more 
reckless  and  determined  bravery  than  they  did  upon  this 
field,  for  all  felt  that  they  were  defending  their  own 
homes.  One  whole  company  of  the  First  regiment  were 
raised  in  Gettysburg,  and  some  of  the  men  fought  on 
their  own  farms.  All  the  field  and  staff  officers  deter 
mined  to  go  in  mounted,  and  did  so  as  far  as  their  horses 
could  go.  General  Crawford  and  his  staff,  Colonel  Mc- 
Candless  and  his  Assistant  Inspector-general,  Captain 
Coates,  all  displayed  intrepid  bravery.  Lieutenant 
colonel  Woodward,  who  from  his  wounds  walked  with 
difficulty  in  the  early  part  of  the  action,  received  a  con 
tusion  of  the  ankle,  and  was  unable  to  accompany  us 
in  our  charges,  but  remained.upon  the  field. 

The  loss  of  our  regiment,  and  in  fact,  of  the  brigade, 
was  remarkably  small  which  is  attributed  to  the  impetu 
osity  of  our  charges,  which  gave  the  enemy  but  little 
chance  to  inflict  damage  upon  us.  The  proportion  of 
killed  was  very  small,  though  among  the  wounded  the 
mortality  was  subsequently  very  heavy.* 

*  See  Appendix  A. 


276  OUR   CAMPAIGNS. 

Our  regiment  went  into  battle  with  one  hundred  and 
forty-seven  men  and  its  loss  was  heavier  than  any  other 
regiment  in  the  brigade. 

The  enemy  Cumbered  ninety  thousand  men  and  two 
hundred  pieces  of  cannon,  we  had  sixty  thousand  men 
and  about  an  equal  number  of  guns.  Our  total  loss  was 
four  thousand  killed,  twelve  thousand  wounded,  and  four 
thousand  prisoners,  in  all  about  twenty  thousand ;  whilst 
the  enemy's  loss  was  five  thousand  five  hundred  killed, 
twenty-one  thousand  wounded,  nine  thousand  prisoners, 
and  four  thousand  stragglers  and  deserters,  making  a 
total  of  about  forty  thousand. 

About  one  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  the  Regulars 
relieved  us  at  the  stone-wall  and  we  were  moved  back 
to  "  Little  Round  Top,"  where  we  received  rations  and 
remained  until  the  afternoon  of  the  next  day,  during 
which  time  it  rained  severely. 


CHAPTER  XXIV. 

FALL,  OF  REYNOLDS.  THE  BOY'S  SWORD.  MARCH.*  UNDYING  LOVE. 
FALLING  WADERS.  LEE  CROSSES  THE  POTOMAC.  WAPPING 
HEIGHTS.  MANASSAS  GAP.  ANECDOTE.  MARCHING  IN  A  CIRCLE. 

BEFORE  leaving  the  field  of  Gettysburg  let  us  refer  to 
Major-general  John  F.  Reynolds,  in  the  death  of  whom,  a 
most  skillful  officer,  brave  soldier,  high-minded  and  honor 
able  man,  and  courteous  gentleman,  the  army  and  country 
sustained  a  great  loss,  but  nowhere  was  it  more  sincerely 
felt  than  in  the  First  brigade  of  the  Reserves  whom  he  had 
moulded  in  their  infancy  and  led  to  honor  and  glory  on 
many  fields.  It  will  be  remembered,  at  Harrison's  Land 
ing  the  men  of  this  brigade  determined  to  present  the 
General  with  a  handsome  testimonial  of  their  regard, 
which  on  account  of  the  active  service  in  which  they 


THE   BOY'S  SWORD.  277 

were  soon  after  engaged,  was  not  procured  until  a  short 
time  before  we  left  Fairfax  Station,  and  no  opportunity 
being  afforded  to  present  it,  it  was  taken  into  Pennsyl 
vania  with  the  intention  of  presenting  it  to  him  on  the 
battle-field,  but,  alas !  when  they  arrived  within  hearing 
of  his  guns,  he  had  passed  to  immortality. 

In  this  gift  the  men  felt  great  pride,  as  it  was  known 
that  the  general  had  refused  to  receive  similar  ones 
when  tendered  by  officers,  but  he  could  not  refuse  this, 
prompted  as  it  was  by  the  pure  and  disinterested  feel 
ings  of  the  men's  hearts.  And  it  was  such  a  one  as  any 
general  would  have  been  proud  of.  It  consisted  of  a 
costly  sword  of  most  exquisite  workmanship,  and  was 
accompanied  by  a  sash,  and  belt  embroidered  with 
heavy  bullion.  The  blade  of  the  sword  was  of  the 
finest  Damascus  steel,  and  the  scabbard  of  pure  gold, 
having  inscribed  upon  it  on  a  scroll : 

"  Presented  to  Major-general  John  F.  Keynolds,  by  the 
enlisted  men  of  the  First,  Second,  Fifth  and  Eighth  regi 
ments  of  the  First  brigade  of  Pennsylvania  Reserves,  in 
testimony  of  their  love  and  admiration.  Mechanics ville, 
June  26th,  1862." 

Upon  the  grip  was  a  black  onyx,  in  the  centre  of 
which  was  set  in  diamonds  the  initials  J.  F.  E.,  sur 
rounded  by  a  wreath  of  precious  brilliants.  On  the 
reverse,  in  a  handsome  scroll  was  inscribed — "  Vincit 
Amor  Patride"  Crowning  the  grip  was  a  solid  globe  of 
gold,  chased  with  the  map  of  the  world,  around  which 
was  the  belt  of  the  Union  in  blue  enamel,  with  thirteen 
diamond  stars,  while  entwined  around  the  guard  was  an 
exquisitely-shaped  serpent,  with  its  venomous  tongue 
protruding  as  if  to  steal  one  of  the  stars  from  the  galaxy. 
The  shield  of  the  hilt  was  formed  of  the  coat  of  arms  of 
the  State  of  Pennsylvania,  cut  from  a  solid  plate  of 
gold.  Beneath  this,  on  the  scabbard,  was  a  fine  figure 
of  the  Goddess  of  Liberty  modeled  from  the  statue  sur 
mounting  the  Federal  Capitol.  In  style  and  workman 
ship  it  was  exquisitely  gotten  up,  every  touch  upon  it 


278  OUR  CAMPAIGNS. 

being  given  by  hand,  it  resembling  a  fine  piece  of  jew 
elry.* 

Subsequently,  W.  H.  Grier,  a  brave  and  gallant  ser 
geant  of  the  Fifth  was  chosen  to  proceed  to  Philadelphia 
and  presented  it  to  the  general's  sister,  Mrs.  Henry  Landis. 

On  the  morning  of  the  5th,  it  being  ascertained  that 
the  enemy  was  in  full  retreat  by  the  Fairfield  and  Cash- 
town  roads,  the  Sixth  corps  was  sent  in  pursuit  on  the 
Fan-field  road,  and  the  cavalry  on  the  Cashtown  road, 
by  Emmetsburg  and  Monterey  passes.  As  these  passes 
were  reported  by  Major-general  Sedgwick  as  being 
very  strong,  General  Meade  determined  to  follow  the 
enemy  by  a  flank  movement,  and  accordingly  leaving  a 
brigade  of  cavalry  and  infantry  to  harass  the  enemy,  he 
put  the  army  in  motion  for  Middletown,  Maryland. 

Major-general  French,  in  anticipation  of  orders,  moved 
from  Frederick  and  reoccupied  Harper's  Ferry  and  seized 
Turner's  Pass,  in  the  South  Mountains.  He  also  pushed 
his  cavalry  to  Williamsport  and  Falling  Waters,  where 
he  destroyed  the  enemy's  pontoon  bridge  and  captured 
its  guard. 

At  five  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  of  the  5th,  we  moved 
off  in  a  southwesterly  direction  over  exceedingly  bad 
roads,  and  at  twelve  o'clock  at  night  bivouacked  in  an 
open  field  and  threw  out  pickets.  The  next  morning,  about 
eleven  o'clock,  we  marched  to  the  State  line,  where  a  con 
gratulatory  address  from  General  Meade  was  read  to  us  and 
we  bivouacked  for  the  remainder  of  the  day  and  night. 

At  four  the  next  morning  we  moved  off,  passing  near 
Emmetsburg  and  continuing  along  the  base  of  the  South 
Mountains,  marching  on  the  fields  skirting  the  pike 
and  passing  through  Graceham  and  Creegarstown,  and 
bivouacked  about  dark,  six  miles  from  Frederick, 
having  marched  twenty-one  miles  over  very  heavy  roads. 

*  The  designs  in  many  respects  were  entirely  new  and  original, 
and  the  aword  has  been  pronounced  one  of  the  most  chaste  and 
beautiful  ever  made  in  this  country.  It  was  manufactured  by  Mr. 
E.  Kretzmar. 


UNDYING  LOVE.  279 

The  Catholic  Convent  at  Emmetsburg  since  we  passed 
there,  has  received  a  bright  gem  into  its  cloisters,  the 
melancholy  story  of  which  is  peculiarly  interesting  to 
the  Reserves.  A  young  lady,  possessed  of  all  the  charms 
and  attributes  of  womanly  graces,  won  the  heart  of  one 
of  the  Keserves'  ablest  generals.  Her  love  was  too  pure 
and  holy  to  look  to  this  world  alone  for  bliss,  and 
although  their  hearts  and  hands  were  plighted,  she  post 
poned  the  happy  hour  that  was  to  make  them  one,  while 
she  plead  with  him  with  all  her  earnestness  to  come  into 
the  folds  of  her  church.  The  general,  though  one  of  the 
most  upright  and  moral  of  men,  could  not  be  induced  to 
leave  the  faith  he  had  been  reared  in,  and  thus  while 
their  hearts  were  trembling  between  love  and  piety,  and 
love  and  manly  virtue,  the  hero  sealed  his  devotion  to 
his  country  by  pouring  out  his  heart's  blood  to  hold  the 
ground  until  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  could  concentrate 
at  Gettysburg.  And  how  fitting  the  sequel !  Bowed 
down  with  the  loss  of  her  brave  and  gallant  hero,  she 
consecrated  her  fortune  to  charity  and  her  life  to  her 
God. 

At  six  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  the  8th  we  marched, 
heading  nearly  West,  and  passing  over  fields  soon  struck 
the  Catoctin  Mountains,  up  the  rugged  sides  of  which  we 
clambered  through  a  heavy  rain  that  had  been  falling 
all  night.  Arriving  at  the  summit  we  commenced  the 
descent  along  a  narrow  and  rough  road,  and  soon  had  a 
fine  view  of  the  magnificent  valley,  in  which  Middle- 
town  is  situated,  and  a  large  number  of  troops  were  lay 
ing.  Passing  through  Middletown,  which  was  filled  with 
moving  columns  of  troops  and  wagons,  we  turned  to  the 
left  and  bivouacked  about  a  mile  to  the  south.  During 
the  night  rations  were  served  out  to  the  companies. 

The  next  morning  we  marched  at  six,  and  crossed  the 
South  Mountains  at  a  point  where  the  left  wing  of 
our  army  had  gained  a  glorious  victory  on  the  14th  of 
September  last.  Descending  the  western  slope  we 
bivouacked  about  two  miles  from  Keedysville,  within 


280  OUR   CAMPAIGNS. 

sight  of  Antietam's  glorious  field.  Through  the  day  we 
heard  heavy  firing  in  the  direction  of  Williamsport.  A 
full  supply  of  shoes  and  stockings,  which  were  much 
needed  were  received  and  distributed  during  the  night. 

The  next  morning  we  commenced  our  march  at  six 
o'clock,  and  soon  afterwards  heard  heavy  cannonading. 
Passing  near  Keedysville  and  La  Roy,  we  struck  Antie- 
tarn  creek,  passing  by  Delarnont  -Mills,  where  the  enemy 
had  been  in  the  morning,  and  some  of  their  officers  had 
ordered  dinner,  which  they  did  not  remain  to  eat.  Just 
beyond  here  we  halted  and  threw  out  cavalry  and  infan 
try  skirmishers,  who  occasionally  exchanged  shots  with 
the  enemy  for  over  two  hours. 

On  the  morning  of  the  llth  we  moved  forward  cau 
tiously  to  near  the  Sharpsburg  and  Hagerstown  turn 
pike,  where  we  deployed  in  line  of  battle,  and  rested 
until  four  in  the  afternoon,  at  which  time  the  division 
moved  forward  in  columns  of  companies  with  the  regi 
ments  at  deploying  distance,  with  a  heavy  body  of 
skirmishers  in  front,  and  the  pioneers  to  tear  down  the 
fences.  Having  advanced  about  two  miles,  the  division 
halted,  and  our  regiment  and  five  companies  of  the  Fifth, 
under  Colonel  Woodward,  were  sent  out»on  picket.  "We 
found  the  Second  Corps  pickets  engaged  with  the  enemy 
on  the  pike  for  the  possession  of  a  piece  of  woods,  and 
did  not  succeed  in  making  our  connection  with  their 
line  until  after  dark,  when  we  occupied  the  inner  edge 
of  the  woods  in  dispute.  The  Second  Corps  fell  back 
and  changed  their  line  twice  through  the  night,  and  \ye 
had  to  after  ours  to  correspond  with  theirs. 

The  next  mprning,  Sunday,  we  advanced  our  line, 
occupying  the  woods  in  dispute  without  opposition, 
crossed  the  pike  and  posted  our  line  on  the  elevated 
ground  beyond,  sending  Companies  C  and  H,  Captains 
Byrnes  and  Mealey,  to  occupy  a  piece  of  heavy  timber 
further  in  advance  and  to  the  left  within  close  proximity 
to  the  enemy's  picket  pits.  Soon  after,  heavy  artillery 
and  musketry  firing  was  heard  on  our  right,  and  about 


FALLING   WATERS.  281 

four  o'clock  orders  were  received  to  withdraw  our  line 
about  half  a  mile  to  the  left.  Here  we  formed  the  divi 
sion,  and  soon  afterwards  were  ordered  to  throw  out  our 
line  as  skirmishers,  beyond  the  pike  fronting  the  woods. 
Some  sharp  firing  took,  place  but  without  occasioning 
any  loss  on  our  side. 

The  division  moved  back  about  dark  to  their  former 
position,  and  at  nine  o'clock  that  night  we  were  relieved 
and  joined  them. 

July  the  13th  was  a  rainy  and  disagreeable  day,  and 
we  did  not  move  until  nearly  three  o'clock  in  the  after 
noon,  when  we  were  formed  and  marched  to  a  long  line 
of  rifle-pits  that  the  division  had  thrown  up,  and  soon 
after  to  a  field  in  front,  where  we  laid  all  night. 

That  night  orders  were  received  to  march  early  with 
the  greatest  secrecy,  but  when  the  morning  came  there 
was  no  occasion  for  this  as  the  enemy  had  evacuated 
their  position  through  the  night.  As  we  advanced  wo 
found  three  long  lines  of  most  formidable  rifle-pits 
advantageously  posted  which  the  enemy  had  abandoned 
leaving  many  of  their  tools  behind  them.  We  also  found 
a  number  of  arms,  and  many  prisoners  were  brought  in, 
who  proved  to  be  the  dirtiest  set  of  mortals  we  had  yet 
seen.  During  the  march  the  "Bucktails"  were  posted 
on  the  right,  and  we  on  the  left  as  flankers,  and  at  ten 
A.  M.,  we  arrived  within  sight  of  Williamsport  on  the 
upper  Potomac.  At  noon  we  re-commenced  our  march 
and  proceeded  to  Falling  Waters,  where  we  arrived  too 
late  to  participate  in  the  brush  with  the  enemy.  Here 
our  cavalry  overtook  the  rear  guard  and  captured  two 
guns,  three  flags  and  a  number  of  prisoners,  and  killed 
General  Pettigrew.  Lee's  army  crossed  the  night  before 
on  a  trestle  and  boat  bridge.  We  remained  in  position 
until  about  four  o'clock,  when  we  moved  to  a  clover  field 
and  bivouacked. 

The  question  has  frequently  been  a"sked  why  did 
Meade  permit  Lee  to  escape  ?  It  must  be  remembered 
that  our  army  was  much  fatigued  by  their  late  hard 


282  OUR    CAMPAIGNS. 

fighting  and  marching,  and  was  seriously  reduced  in 
number.  That  upon  the  arrival  of  Lee  upon  the  banks 
of  the  Potomac,  he  immediately  commenced  the  erection 
of  breastworks,  and  that  the  greatest  difficulty  General 
Meade  experienced,  was  the  impossibility  of  reconnoit 
ring  the  enemy's  position  on  account  of  the  character  of 
the  country.  A  council  of  war  was  called  and  the  five 
corps  commanders  present,  decided  against  an  attack, 
and  it  showed  a  proper  prudence  on  the  part  of  General 
Meade  not  to  order  a  blind  attack  when  ignorant  of  all 
essential  matters,  having  therefore,  no  clear  view  that 
success  was  probable  against  a  splendidly  posted,  des 
perate  and  powerful  enemy.  Had  an  attack  been  made 
on  the  13th,  Lee's  whole  army  would  have  been  found 
behind  their  works,  as  not  a  man  left  his  lines  until  after 
dark  that  night.  A  defeat  would  have  lost  all  the  benefit 
of  the  past  victory,  and  placed  the  North  and  Washington 
again  at  the  command  of  Lee  and  his  army. 

The  next  morning,  the  15th,  at  four  o'clock  we  com 
menced  our  march,  nearly  retracing  our  steps,  passing 
near  Delamont  and  down  the  Hagerstown  and  Sharps- 
burg  pike  to  the  Keedysville  road,  and  halted  to  make 
coffee  about  noon  on  the  site  of  the  "  Smoketown  Hos 
pital."  Near  by  was  the  burial  ground  with  a  handsome 
wooden  monument  about  twelve  feet  high  erected  in  the 
centre,  by  the  convalescents.  We  were  now  on  the  battle 
field  of  Antietam,  whose  rolling  fields  were  covered 
with  luxuriant  grain  ready  for  the  harvest,  and  the  deep 
forest  was  clothed  with  new  foliage  that  sighed  above 
the  graves  alike  of  friend  and  foe,  peacefully  slumbering 
together  awaiting  the  last  reveille.  Moving  on,  we  crossed 
the  Antietam,  passing  through  Keedysville,  and  over 
South  Mountains  by  the  same  road  we  came,  and  en 
camped  near  its  eastern  base.  The  day  was  very  warm, 
and  the  march  was  over  a  rough  and  hilly  country,  in 
many  places  with  the  roads  very  muddy,  and  the  distance 
made  being  twenty-three  miles,  the  men  were  much 
worn  out. 


OUE   ADOPTED  STATE.  283 

."We  moved  the  next  morning  about  five,  skirting  along 
the  eastern  base  of  South  Mountains  through  Berketts- 
ville  and  Petersville,  and  halted  about  two  miles  from 
Berlin  and  encamped  in  a  fine  woods  about  eleven  A.  M. 
The  next  day  our  wagons  came  up  and  the  .officers  got  a 
change  of  clothing,  the  first  they  had  since  we  left  Fair 
fax  Station. 

It  rained  heavily  all  night  and  through  the  day  of  the 
17th,  until  four  in  the  afternoon,  when  we  moved  off 
towards  the  Potomac,  which  we  crossed  on  a  pontoon 
bridge  at  Berlin  and  trod  once  more  the  soil  of  our 
adopted  State.  Moving  on  to  Lovettsville,  three  miles 
beyond,  we  bivouacked  in  the  rear  of  it,  being  the  first 
infantry  that  had  crossed.  The  inhabitants  of  this  section 
are  almost  all  loyal  to  the  Union. 

The  next  day  our  regiment  was  detailed  as  guard  to 
the  corps'  wagon  train,  and  starting  at  eleven,  reached 
Wheatland  at  three  P.  M. 

On  the  19th,  we  marched  at  six  o'clock  in  the  morn 
ing  and  passing  through  Purcellville,  bivouacked  in  a 
woods  at  ten  A.  M.  We  passed  on  the  route  a  number 
of  prisoners  belonging  to  White's  cavalry,  captured  by 
Kilpatrick's.  Our  movements  were  now  rather  cautious, 
as  we  had  a  large  train,  and  the  enemy's  cavalry  were  in 
the  neighborhood. 

The  next  morning  we  sounded  reveille  at  two,  and 
moved  at  four  o'clock,  almost  over  the  same  ground  we 
did  last  year  under  McClellan,  passing  by  Philomont  and 
our  old  camps,  near  Uniontown,  and  encamped  about 
noon  on  Goose  creek,  in  a  woods  on  a  hill  side.  Our 
route  laid  through  a  finely  watered  and  picturesque 
country  with  fine  farms  and  houses ;  one  of  the  hand 
somest  of  which  was  that  of  Mr.  Delaney's,  a  wealthy 
Englishman,  who  owned  two  thousand  acres  of  land  in 
detached  parcels,  but  so  thoroughly  had  been  the  destruc 
tion  of  the  roads  and  landmarks,  that  he  stated  he  could 
not  trace  the  lines  of  any  of  his  property,  excepting  the 
tract  upon  which  his  house  is  situated.  Surveyors  will 
reap  a  rich  harvest  in  Virginia  when  the  war  is  over. 


284  OUR   CAMPAIGNS. 

•  The  next  day  was  spent  in  camp,  the  boys  occupying 
their  time  in  writing  home,  bathing,  and  washing  clothes. 
In  a  long  stone  wall  in  the  meadow  in  front  of  us,  some 
copperheads  were  discovered,  and  soon  nearly  half  of  the 
division  was  at  work  with  sticks  and  clubs  hunting 
them,  and  in  an  incredibly  short  time  the  wall  was 
leveled  with  the  ground. 

At  two  o'clock  on  the  afternoon  of  the  22d,  we  marched 
off  over  the  fields  and  along  by  roads  to  Eectortown  and 
encamped  near  the  Manassas  Gap  Kailroad  in  a  heavy 
woods.  The  next  morning  we  formed  a  field  hospital  in 
a  fine  woods,  and  left  all  our  wounded  and  sick  in  charge 
of  a  suitable  number  of  surgeons  and  a  guard,  with  pro 
visions,  medicines,  etc.  Among  those  left  was  Acting 
Sergeant-major  H.  C.  Hostetter,  who  died  and  was  buried 
there.  He  was  a  good  soldier,  an  exemplary  young  man, 
and  his  death  was  regretted  by  all. 

The  next  day  we  marched  early  keeping  along  the 
general  course  of  the  railroad,  passing  through  Markham, 
Petersville,  and  Linden.  Last  fall  the  enemy  tore  up  the 
rails  of  this  road  and  heating  them  on  piles  of  burning 
ties,  bent  and  destroyed  them.  About  three  o'clock  we 
reached  the  eastern  base  of  the  Gap,  and  soon  after  skir 
mishing  commenced  on  Wapping  Heights,  which  lasted 
until  near  dark,  when  the  enemy  were  driven  back  with 
loss.  Soon  after  we  moved  on  past  Wapping,  which 
consisted  of  a  defunct  tavern,  an  empty  store,  and  several 
shanties,  and  encamped  about  half  a  mile  beyond.  That 
day  we  marched  twenty-five  miles. 

Being  in  the  presence  of  the  enemy,  no  "  calls"  were 
sounded.  The  next  morning  at  seven  o'clock  we  marched 
up  the  railroad,  and  moving  to  the  right  formed  in 
columns  of  division  and  moved  in  by  the  right  flank, 
and  advanced  up  the  sides  of  a  steep  mountain,  covered 
with  a  heavy  growth  of  timber  and  underbrush.  So 
steep  was  it  that  the  field  officers  found  it  impossible  to 
descend  the  western  slope  on  horseback.  Having 
reached  its  base,  the  ascent  of  a  still  steeper  and  higher 


WAPPING  HEIGHTS.  285 

mountain  was  commenced,  which  required  great  exer 
tion  to  accomplish,  and  by  the  time  the  command  had 
crossed,  the  men  were  completely  fagged  out.  The  day 
was  excessively  hot,  several  men  were  sun  struck,  one 
broke  his  neck,  and  another  was  accidentally  shot 
through  the  head  by  a  comrade.  A  small  force  of  the 
enemy  could  have  held  us  at  bay,  and  probably  repulsed 
our  brigade,  as  by  the  nature  of  the  obstacle,  the  compa 
nies  and  regiments  became  mixed  up  together.  A  line 
of  skirmishers  properly  supported  would  have  been  more 
effective.  Upon  arriving  at  the  western  base,  the  men 
were  collected  and  reformed  in  a  little  valley,  and  after 
a  half  hoar's  rest,  we  marched  back  to  our  old  bivouac. 
Soon  after  we  moved  two  miles  back  and  encamped, 
where  we  had  fresh  beef  served  out  to  us. 

The  Third  brigade,  which  moved  on  the  left  of  the 
railroad,  captured  several  prisoners. 

Through  the  day  we  learned  that  General  French  had 
captured  eleven  hundred  head  of  cattle,  a  number  of 
wagons,  and  about  three  hundred  and  fifty  prisoners. 
From  a  high  mountain  back  of  where  we  laid,  we  had  a 
magnificent  view  of  the  valley  of  the  Shenandoah,  the 
scenery  of  which  equalled  any  we  have  ever  seen.  A 
large  column  of  the  enemy's  cavalry  or  wagons  were  seen 
in  rapid  motion  up  the  valley,  as  the  sudden  appearance 
of  our  army  at  the  Gap  made  them  fearful  lest  a  portion 
of  their  army  should  be  cut  off.  They  effected  their 
withdrawal  by  way  of  Strasburg,  and  retired  to  the 
Kapidan. 

On  the  25th,  we  sounded  reveille  at  three,  and  moved 
at  six  o'clock,  retracing  our  steps  for  some  miles  and 
then  turning  to  the  right,  followed  along  the  foot  hills 
of  the  Blue  Mountains,  and  halting  about  three  in  the 
afternoon,  on  an  open  field,  where  we  bivouacked.  We 
had  been  short  of  provisions  for  several  days,  the  men 
living  mostly  on  blackberries,  which  grew  in  luxuriance 
in  this  section,  care  being  taken  to  halt  us  wherever  a 
large  patch  was  found.  On  our  route  we  passed  the 


286  OUR  CAMPAIGNS. 

house  of  Mr.  James  Marshall,  which  had  been  ransacked 
by  stragglers.  Mr.  Marshall  was  a  violent  secessionist, 
and  upon  the  approach  of  our  troops  fled  with  his  family 
to  Richmond.  Occupied  houses  are  seldom  if  ever 
touched  by  the  men,  but  when  one  is  found  deserted, 
they  generally  take  what  they  want. 

The  next  morning  we  marched  at  five  o'clock,  passing 
a  large  number  of  prisoners  near  Orleans,  who  appeared 
in  an  exceedingly  good  humor.  At  noon  we  halted  in 
a  clover  field  about  two  miles  from  Warrenton,  having 
made  thirteen  miles  with  a  halt  of  but  fifteen  minutes. 

While  we  laid  here  General  Crawford  was  saluted 
with  the  cry  of  "  crackers"  from  his  hungry  boys,  which 
annoyed  him  so  much  that  he  went  to  General  Meade 
and  demanded  rations.  "  Why,  my  dear  General,"  replied 
the  commander,  "you  should  not  let  that  annoy  you." 
"  One  night  at  White  Plains  where  I  marched  the  boys 
a  couple  of  miles  out  of  the  road  they  actually  called 
me  a  '  four-eyed  son  of  a  b — h,'  and  upon  my  soul  I  could 
not  get  mad  at  them."* 

On  the  march,  Dr.  E.  0.  Jackson  one  of  our  Assistant 
Surgeons  was  taken  sick  and  sent  from  Warrenton  to 
Washington  where  he  died.  He  was  a  young  gentleman 
of  high  professional  talents  and  fine  social  qualities,  and 
his  death  caused  much  regret. 

Here  Captain  John  M.  Clark,  Lieutenant  Andrew 
McLean,  Sergeant  John  McDonough,  Sergeant  Dennis 
O'Brien,  Corporal  Jeremiah  Dooling,  Corporal  Thomas 
M.  Fisher,  were  detailed  to  go  to  Pennsylvania  after 
drafted  men  to  fill  our  regiment,  none  of  which  they  got. 

At  four  in  the  afternoon  we  got  into  motion  and 
marched  six  miles,  passing  to  the  west  of  Warrenton, 
and  encamping  in  a  low  open  field,  where  we  were 
annoyed  for  the  first  time  during  the  wftr  by  mosquitoes. 

The  next  morning  we  sounded  no  reveille,  but  woke 


*  The  General  wore  spectacles. 


MARCHING   IX   A   CIRCLE.  287 

the  men  up  early  and  marched  at  five  o'clock  towards 
Fayetteville,  near  which  we  halted  at  eight  in  the  morn 
ing,  for  the  night  and  day. 

On  the  28th,  on  account  of  the  scarcity  of  water,  we 
moved  about  a  mile  to  a  new  position,  where  we  laid 
until  the  1st  of  August,  spending  one  day  of  our  time 
on  picket.  While  here  Lieutenant  John  Taylor  com 
manding  Company  E,  was  appointed  an  aid  on  Colonel 
McCandless'  staff. 

On  the  1st,  we  marched  at  five  in  the  afternoon  two 
miles  towards  Warrenton  and  bivouacked.  There  was 
through  the  afternoon,  considerable  cannonading  heard 
towards  the  Warrenton  Sulphur  Springs,  occasioned  by 
our  cavalry  and  light  artillery  skirmishing. 

On  the  3d,  we  moved  at  eight  A.  M.,  about  three 
miles  to  our  old  bivouac  of  the  26th  ult.  The  weather 
was  so  oppressively  hot  that  in  this  short  distance  many 
men  gave  out  and  several  were  sunstruck.  We  remained 
there  until  dark,  when  we  marched  to  our  old  bivouac 
of  the  28th,  where  we  laid  two  hours,  when  we  again 
got  under  way  and  marched  by  a  circuitous  route  eight 
miles  and  bivouacked  at  two  the  next  morning  within 
two  miles  of  our  last  starting  point,  on  our  old  camp 
ground  of  November  last,  under  Burnside. 

On  the  4th,  we  moved  camp  about  one  mile.  In  the 
afternoon,  during  a  heavy  thunder  storm,  our  own  and 
the  enemy's  cavalry,  supported  with  light  artillery,  met 
accidentally  south  of  the  Kappahannock,  and  had  a  heavy 
skirmish  in  which  our  men  drove  them  and  took  a 
number  of  prisoners.  The  day  before  they  had  an 
encounter  at  Kelly's  Ford  with  the  same  result. 

On  the  6th,  General  Gibbon  took  temporary  command 
of  our  corps,  Colonel  McCandless  of  our  division  and 
Colonel  William  Oooper  Talley  of  our  brigade.  Major 
Wiley  paid  the  regiment  off,  and  Lieutenant  Craig,  Com 
pany  A,  rejoined  us,  having  recovered  from  his  wounds 
received  at  Fredericksburg. 

On  the  8th,  we  marched  early,  and  at  noon  arrived  at 


288  OUR   CAMPAIGNS. 

Kappahannock  Station  where  we  formed  a  regular  en 
campment. 

During  our  late  marching  and  countermarching  a 
large  portion  of  our  troops  were  sent  to  the  City  of  New 
York  (the  left  wing  of  Lee's  army),  to  enforce  the  draft, 
with  which  a  powerful  mob  had  been  permitted  by  the 
City  and  State  authorities  to  interfere,  and  we  being  in 
the  presence  of  a  superior  and  vigilant  foe  it  was  neces 
sary  to  deceive  him  as  to  our  numbers,  for  which  purpose 
we  moved  continually  in  a  circle  of  some  fifteen  miles 
diameter,  and  the  tramp  of  troops  and  the  moving  of 
artillery  and  wagons  was  heard  night  and  day.  At  every 
stopping  place  orders  were  issued  to  lay  out  our  camp 
regularly,  dig  sinks,  and  erect  bough  arbors  over  our 
tents,  but  no  sooner  were  they  finished  than  orders  to 
march  were  received.  In  this  manner,  the  enemy's  spies 
and  the  inhabitants  were  utterly  deceived,  and  when  our 
army  was  reduced  to  probably  twenty-five  thousand 
•men,  the  Kichmond  papers  reported  us  as  receiving 
large  reinforcements  and  numbering  over  eighty  thou 
sand.  The  men  soon  understood  and  appreciated  the 
strategy  of  General  Meade. 

This  depletion  of  our  army  to  maintain  the  authority 
of  the  Government  and  to  enforce  the  laws  at  home, 
paralyzed  the  movements  of  General  Meade,  and  virtually 
brought  to  a  close  the  campaign  at  a  season  most  favor 
able  to  its  prosecution,  and  at  a  time  auspicious  of  its 
success. 


289 


CHAPTER  XXY. 

RAPPAHANNOCK    STATION.      THE  SWORD    BANQUET.      MILITARY 
EXECUTION.    MARCH  TO  CULFEPPER  COURT  HOUSE. 

Ix  our  camp  at  the  Station,  wells  and  sinks  were  dug. 
bough  arbors  erected,  clothing  and  an  abundance  of 
rations  issued,  our  sutler's  tent  kept  well  supplied,  mail 
facilities  afforded,  and  the  "  Philadelphia  Inquirer,"  the 
soldier's  paper,  received  the  day  it  was  published.  The 
usual  routine  of  camp,  guard  mounting,  drills  and  dress 
parades,  were  established,  and  the  discipline  which  is  so 
apt  to  become  relaxed  during  an  active  campaign  was 
re-established. 

While  here  the  boys  who  were  always  fond  of  bathing 
had  ample  opportunity  of  enjoying  that  luxury,  but  un 
fortunately  one  day  Samuel  Black  of  Company  F  was 
drowned. 

Nothing  of  moment  occurred  until  the  middle  of  the 
month,  when  late  one  afternoon,  notice  was  received  that 
the  enemy  was  advancing  upon  us,  and  orders  were 
issued  to  be  in  readiness  to  fall  in  prepared  for  action  at 
a  moment's  notice.  A  signal  gun  was  fired  from  corps' 
head- quarters,  upon  which  a  large  number  of  troops 
crossed  the  Rappahannock,  but  the  night  passed  over 
without  any  sound  of  battle.  The  next  morning  it  was 
ascertained  the  alarm-  had  been  occasioned  by  an  aid 
having  "  a  rush  of  rats  to  the  head,"  which  caused  him 
to  mistake  our  returning  scouts  for  the  enemy. 

The  officers  of  the  Reserves  having  determined  some 
time  previous  to  present  to  General  Meade  a  testimonial 
of  their  esteem  and  admiration  for  him.  as  an  officer  and 
leader,  had  procured  through  their  chairman,  Colonel 
McCandless,  a  costly  sword  of  most  exquisite  workman 
ship,  a  sash,  belt  and  a  pair  of  gold  spurs  to  offer  for  his 
acceptance.  On  the  28th  the  presentation  took  place. 

19 


290  OUR   CAMPAIGNS. 

Invitations  were  extended  to  Governor  Curtin  and  a 
number  of  gentlemen  prominent  in  civil  and  military 
life,  who  were  present.  The  banquet  was  one  of  the 
most  magnificent  affairs  of  the  kind  ever  gotten  up  in  the 
Army  of  the  Potomac.  For  ten  days  one  hundred  men 
had  been  engaged  in  decorating  the  grounds,  building 
green  arbors,  arches  and  towers  of 'the  most  exquisite 
taste  and  artistic  style.  The  day  was  a  most  beautiful 
one,  and  about  five  in  the  evening,  there  gathered  upon 
the  ground  a  large  assemblage  of  officers,  of  our  division 
and  the  army,  and  among  them  some  of  the  most  dis 
tinguished  heroes  of  the  war,  all  dressed  in  full  uniform, 
with  sash  and  belt,  but  without  swords.  General  Meade, 
surrounded  by  a  staff  of  distinguished  personnel  mounted 
the  stand,  and  General  Crawford,  taking  the  sword  from 
the  case,  in  a  neat  and  appropriate  speech,  handed  it  to 
the  general,  who  stepped  forward,  amid  the  most  vocife 
rous  chearing,  and  responded  as  follows : 

"GENERAL  CRAWFORD  AND  OFFICERS  OF  THE  DIVI 
SION  OF  THE  PENNSYLVANIA  RESERVE  CORPS  : — I  accept 
this  sword  with  feelings  of  profound  gratitude.  I  should 
be  insensible  to  all  the  promptings  of  nature  if  I  were  not 
grateful  and  proud  at  receiving  a  testimonial  of  approba 
tion  from  a  band  of  officers  and  men  so  distinguished  as 
has  been  the  division  of  the  Pennsyvania  Reserve  Corps, 
during  the  whole  period  of  this  war.  T  have  a  right, 
therefore,  to  be  proud  that  they  should  think  my  conduct 
and  my  course  have  been  of  such  a  character  as  to  justify 
them  in  collecting  together  here  so  many  distinguished 
gentlemen,  as  I  see  around  me,  from  different  parts  of 
the  country,  and  our  own  State,  to  present  to  me  this 
handsome  testimonial.  It  in  effect  says  to  me,  that  in 
their  judgment  I  have  done  my  duty  towards  them  and 
towards  the  country.  I  began  my  career  in  this  army, 
by  commanding  the  Second  Brigade  of  your  division.  I 
faithfully  endeavored,  during  all  the  time  I  held  that 
command,  and  also  the  command  of  your  division,  to 
treat  the  officers  and  men  in  a  manner  that  would  ex- 


MEADE'S  SWORD.  291 

press  k>  them  my  high  appreciation  of  their  conduct  as 
soldiers  and  brave  men. 

"  I  am  very  glad,  sir,  that  you  have  mentioned  your 
distinguished  guest,  the  Governor  of  Pennsylvania.  I 
have  a  personal  knowledge  of  his  patriotic  efforts  in 
behalf  of  the  soldiers.  To  him  the  country  is  indebted 
for  putting  into  the  field  in  its  hour  of  sorest  need  this 
splendid  corps,  and  I  have  watched  with  pleasure  and 
satisfaction  the  solicitude  he  has  always  shown,  to  see 
that  all  its  interests  and  wants  are  attended  to.  I  have 
been  with  him  on  the  occasions  when  he  has  visited  the 
officers  and  men  from  our  State,  and  I  know  that  they 
are  indebted  to  him  for  many  comforts,  and  that  the 
country  is  indebted  to  him  for  words  of  eloquence  which 
he  addressed  to  them  to  inspire  them  with  increased 
patriotism  and  courage.  I  am  gratified  that  he  is  here 
to  witness  this  presentation,  and  I  heartily  join  you,  sir, 
in  the  hope  that  his  fellow-citizens  will  remember,  on 
election  day,  his  services  in  promoting  the  interests  of 
the  country  and  the  suppression  of  the  rebellion. 

"  In  speaking  of  the  pride  which  I  experience  in  re 
ceiving  this  sword,  I  feel  myself  justified,  even  at  the 
risk  of  being  charged  with  egotism,  in  saying  a  few 
words  about  the  services  rendered  by  this  division.  I 
say  unhesitatingly  here  before  this  assembly,  and  I  am 
quite  sure  that  when  the  history  of  the  war  is  written, 
that  the  facts  will  vindicate  me,  that  no  division  in  this 
glorious  army  of  the  Potomac — glorious  as  I  conceive 
it  to  be — is  entitled  to  claim  more  credit  for  its  uniform 
gallant  conduct,  and  for  the  amount  of  hard  fighting  it 
has  gone  through,  than  the  division  of  the  Pennsylvania 
Reserve  Corps.  I  do  not  wish  to  take  any  credit  to  my 
self  in  this.  It  is  not  of  my  own  personal  service  that  I 
would  speak,  but  of  the  services  of  the  soldiers — of  the 
privates  of  the  Pennsylvania  Reserve  Corps,  and  I  have 
only  to  appeal  to  Drainesville,  where  the  first  success 
that  crowned  the  arms  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  was 
gained,  unaided  and  alone,  by  a  single  brigade  of  the  Penn- 


292  OUR   CAMPAIGNS. 

sylvania  Reserves.  I  have  only  to  refer  to  Median ics- 
ville,  where  the  whole  of  Longstreet's  Corps  was  held  in 
check  for  hours,  and  victory  really  won,  by  only  two 
brigades  of  the  Reserves.  I  refer  you  to  New  Market 
Cross  roads,  sometimes  called  Glendale,  and  refer  em 
phatically  to  that  battle,  because  certain  -officers  of  the 
army,  not  knowing  the  true  facts  of  the  case,  and  misled 
at  the  time  by  the  statement  of  others  equally  ignorant 
with  themselves,  and  whose  statements  have  since  been 
proved  incorrect,  brought  charges  against  this  division 
on  that  occasion.  I  was  with  the  division  during  the 
whole  fight,  and  until  dark,  when  it  pleased  God  that  I 
should  be  shot  down  and  carried  off  the  field. 

"  I  have  been  told  that  the  division  ran  off,  but  I  know 
that  I  stayed  with  it  until  it  was  dark,  and  my  men  were 
engaged  in  a  hand-to-hand  contest  over  the  batteries  with 
the  enemy.  I  do  not  say  that  there  were  not  some  who 
ran  away,  but  that  is  nothing  singular.  There  are  cow 
ards  in  every  division ;  there  are  bad  men  in  every 
corps.  I  do  say,  however,  that  the  large  body  of  the 
gallant  men  of  the  Pennsylvania  Reserves  remained  on 
the  field  until  dark,  and  did  not  leave  it  until  the  enemy 
had  retired.  Those  guns  were  never  captured  from 
them.  They  remained  on  the  field,  and  were  not  taken 
until  ten  o'clock  the  next  day.  I  refer  to  South  Moun 
tain,  and  it  is  not  necessary  for  me  to  say  much  of  their 
conduct  there,  for  their  gallant  ascent  of  the  height  in 
the  face  of  the  enemy,  and  turning  their  left  flank,  was  wit 
nessed  by  the  commanding  general,  and  they  received  full 
credit  for  it.  I  speak  of  Antietam,  where,  on  the  16th  of 
September,  the  -Pennsylvania  Reserve  Corps,  always  in 
the  advance,  boldly  attacked  that  portion  of  the  Confede 
rate  army  in  its  front,  without  knowing  its  strength, 
and  continued  to  drive  it  until  dark,  and  then  held  the 
position  it  had  gained  until  morning,  when  the  battle  was 
renewed.  I  speak  again  of  Fredericksburg,  where  the 
Pennsylvania  Reserve  Corps  crossed  the  railroad,  and 
led  the  advance,  unaided  and  alone,  up  the  heights,  and 


SAD   THOUGHTS.  293 

held  their  position  for  half  an  hour.  Had  they  been  fol 
lowed  and  supported  by  other  troops,  their  courage  that 
day  would  have  won  a  victory.  I  repeat,  therefore,  that 
I  have  a  right  to  be  proud  and  grateful  when  the  officers 
and  men  of  such  a  command,  who  can  with  truth  point 
to  a  hard-earned  and  dearly-bought  record  of  bright 
deeds,  present  me,  who  have  had  the  honor  of  command 
ing  them,  with  such  a  testimonial. 

"  While,  however,  I  give  expression  to  these  feelings, 
they  are  not  unmingled  with  others  of  a  sad  and  mourn 
ful  nature,  as  I  look  around  you  and  reflect  that  so 
many  of  the  brave  officers  and  soldiers  who  originally 
composed  this  division  sleep  their  last  sleep,  and  that 
others  have  been  obliged  to  return  home  crippled  and 
maimed  for  life.  It  is  terrible  to  think  that  there  should 
be  any  necessity  for  so  much  misfortune  and  misery! 
Sad,  that  in  this  country,  a  land  flowing  with  milk  and 
honey,  and  in  which  we  are  all  brothers,  we  should  raise 
our  arms  against  each  other,  and  such  scenes  should  be 
enacted  as  I  have  been  a  participant  in.  It  is  sad  that 
there  should  be  an  occasion  like  the  present,  for  the 
presentation  of  a  testimonial  such  as  this.  These  are 
sad,  sad  thoughts  to  me,  but  at  the  same  time  I  am  sus 
tained  in  my  present  position  by  a  consciousness  that  I 
am  acting  from  a  high  and  proper  sense  of  my  duty  to 
my  country.  It  is  impossible  that  this  great  country 
should  be  divided ;  that  there  should  be  two  govern 
ments  or  two  flags  on  this  continent.  Such  a  thing  is 
entirely  out  of  the  question.  I  trust  that  every  loyal 
man  would  be  willing  to  sacrifice  his  life  before  he 
would  consent  to  have  more  than  one  government  and 
one  flag  wave  over  the  whole  territory  of  the  United 
States.  This  re-union,  gentlemen,  awakens  in  my  heart 
new  sorrow  for  an  officer  which  it  vividly  recalls  to  my 
mind,  for  he  commanded  the  division  when  I  commanded 
one  of  the  brigades.  He  was  the  noblest  as  well  as  the 
bravest  gentleman  in  the  army.  I  refer  to  John  F.  Rey 
nolds.  I  cannot  receive  this  sword  without  thinking  of 


294  OUR  CAMPAIGNS. 

that  officer.  When  he  fell  at  Gettysburg,  leading  the 
advance,  I  lost  not  only  a  lieutenant  of  the  utmost  im 
portance  to  me,  but  I  may  say  that  I  lost  a  friend,  aye, 
even  a  brother.  I  miss  other  faces  which  were  familiar 
to  me  in  your  midst — Bayard,  of  the  cavalry ;  Jackson, 
of  the  Third  brigade;  Simmons,  of  the  Fifth;  McNeil 
and  Taylor,  of  the  Rifles ;  young  Kuhn,  who  came  from 
Philadelphia  to  assist  me  in  the  field;  Dehone,  and  a 
host  of  others  whose  memories  you  all  cherish. 

"  It  is  oppressive,  gentlemen,  to  me  to  go  over  the  list 
of  these  officers  who  have  been  sacrificed ;  but  if  I  could 
remember  and  name  every  soldier  of  your  division  that 
has  fallen,  what  a  long  list,  and  what  a  trying  recital  it 
would  be  to  us  all !  How  many  men  who  once  belonged 
to  the  Pennsylvania  Reserve  Corps  now  sleep  in  the 
grave,  or  are  lingering  on  earth,  joyfully  expecting 
death  to  end  their  sufferings. 

"  I  thank  you,  General  Crawford,  for  the  kind  manner 
in  which  you  have  conveyed  to  me  this  elegant  testimo 
nial,  and  I  also  thank  these  gentlemen  who  have  come 
so  far  to  be  present.  I  trust,  sir,  this  sword  will  be  re 
quired  but  a  short  time  longer.  Affairs  and  events  now 
look  as  if  this  unhappy  war  might  be  brought  to  a 
happy  termination.  I  have  to  request  of  you,  gentlemen, 
who  are  in  civil  life,  that,  when  you  return  home,  you 
will  spare  no  efforts  to  make  the  people  understand  that 
all  we  want  are  men  to  fill  up  our  ranks.  Send  these 
to  us.  Give  us  the  numbers,  and  the  war  will  soon  be 
concluded.  I  think  the  Confederates  are  now  satisfied  that 
their  struggle  is  only  a  matter  of  time,  as  we  have  the 
force  on  our  side,  and  that  as  soon  as  they  see  that  we 
are  bringing  out  that  force  in  earnest  they  will  yield. 
Permit  me,  before  I  close,  to  mention  what  I  intended 
to  refer  to  before  this,  but  it  escaped  my  memory.  I 
intended  to  express  my  delight,  sir,  on  hearing  that  at 
Gettysburg,  under  your  command,  the  Reserve  Corps 
enacted  deeds  worthy  of  their  former  reputation,  show 
ing  that  they  had  lost  none  of  their  daring,  and  could 


THE   DESERTERS.  295 

always  be  relied  on  in  the  hour  and  post  of  danger.  I 
expected  that  this  would  be  the  case,  it  was  particularly 
gratifying  to  me  to  hear  it  from  your  immediate  com 
mander  on  that  occasion.  Thanking  you  for  your  gaj- 
lantry  there,  and  again  thanking  you  for  your  kindness, 
I  will  conclude." 

The  general  was  followed  by  Governor  Andrew  G. 
Curtin,  in  a  patriotic  and  soul-stirring  speech,  in  which 
he  paid  a  touching  tribute  to  our  dead,  and  spoke  with 
the  highest  admiration  and  deepest  regret  of  the  lamented 
Keynolds.  After  his  Excellency  followed  Colonel  K. 
Biddle  Koberts,  late  of  the  First  Keserves,  the  Honora 
ble  Morton  McMichael  and  Colonel  John  W.  Forney  after 
which  all  retired  to  the  banquet  hall,  where  was  spread 
all  the  delicacies  that  a  refined  taste  and  epicurian  palate 
could  suggest.  After  passing  a  most  happy  evening, 
about  ten  o'clock  the  mirthful  party  broke  up,  the 
civilians  taking  the  cars  at  Bealton  Station,  and  the 
officers  dispersing  to  their  various  camps. 

The  day  following  the  banquet,  the  execution  of  five 
substitute  deserters  took  place  in  the  presence  of  the 
Fifth  Corps,  to  which  they  belonged.  The  spot  chosen 
was  well  fitted  for  the  occasion,  the  troops  being  drawn 
up  on  the  slope  of  a  hill  from  which  all  could  witness  it. 
A  death  procession,  composed  of  the  culprits,  a  priest, 
a  rabbi,  the  guard,  the  firing  party,  and  the  band,  to  the 
most  beautiful  and  solemn  dirges,  passed  down  the  line 
and  halted  in  front  of  the  graves.  The  prisoners  seated 
themselves  upon  their  coffins,  were  blindfolded,  a  short 
prayer  was  said,  the  orders,  "ready" — "aim" — "fire"- 
given,  and  the  culprits  fell  back  dead.  Their  graves 
were  filled  up,  and  the  troops  marched  back  to  their 
camps  with  their  bands  playing  merry  tunes.  Men 
who  sell  their  blood  for  money  and  then  desert,  deserve 
no  sympathy. 

On  the  first  of  September  Lieutenant-colonel  G.  A. 
Woodward  left  us,  he  having  been  transferred  to  the 
Invalid  Corps,  on  account  of  wounds  received  at  Glen- 


296  OUR   CAMPAIGNS. 

dale,  which  incapacitated  him  for  field  service,  although 
in  his  crippled  condition  he  served  through  the  Penn 
sylvania  campaign. 

.  The  command  of  the  regiment  devolved  upon  Major 
McDonough. 

On  the  15th  orders  were  received  to  march,  and  the 
next  morning  at  eight  we  moved,  crossing  the  Rappa- 
hannock  at  Beverly's  Ford,  and  halted  for  the  night 
near  Mountain  run.  Early  the  next  morning  we  moved 
on,  passing  through  Culpepper,  which  is  a  fine  town  and 
encamped  about  four  miles  beyond.  Beyond  the  town 
the  country  was  more  hilly  and  wooded,  and  on  an  ele 
vated  range  we  found  tjie  marks  of  the  artillery  fight 
of  the  preceding  Sunday.  The  trees  were  torn  and 
shivered,  and  the  carcasses  of  numerous  horses  emitted 
a  most  intolerable  stench.  Some  of  the  rascally  rebs 
took  the  trouble,  and  that  under  fire,  of  driving  some 
of  their  wounded  horses  to  the  neighboring  wells  and 
tumbling  them  in,  to  spoil  the  water  for  us.  On  the 
outskirts  of  the  town  is  a  soldiers'  burial  ground,  con 
taining  about  a  regiment,  formed  in  column  of  com 
panies,  with  the  graves  neatly  sodded  and  marked  with 
head-boards. 

About  this  time  Adjutant  Woodward  was  honorably 
discharged  the  service  on  account  of  disability,  and 
Lieutenant  John  L.  Rhoads,  commanding  Company  G, 
appointed  his  successor. 


PONEY   MOUNTAIN.  297 


CHAPTER  XXVI. 

LEE'S    ATTEMPT    TO   FLANK.       BACK   TO    THE    RAPPAHANNOCK.      To 

BRANDY  STATION.  THE  BATTLE  OF  BRISTOE.  To  CENTRE- 
YILLE  AND  FAIRFAX  COURT  HOUSE.  VICTORIES  AT  RAPPA- 
HANNOCK  STATION  AND  KELLEY'S  FORD.  REBEL  CABINS. 
CROSSING  THE  RAPIDAN.  BATTLE  OF  MINE  RUN.  WINTER 
QUARTERS  AT  BRISTOE.  FLAG  PRESENTATION.  REORGANIZA 
TION  OF  THE  ARMY. 


of  importance  occurred  while  we  laid  "hero 
until  early  in  October,  at  which  time  the  contending 
forces  occupied  opposite  banks  of  the  Rapidan  river, 
our  line  extending  from  near  Falmouth  on  the  left  to 
Robertson's  and  Hazel  rivers,  beyond  Thoroughfare 
Mountain  on  the  right,  the  centre  being  in  front  of  Cul- 
pepper  Court  House.  On  the  9th  it  was  discovered  that 
the  enemy  had  commenced  advancing  northward,  evi 
dently  with  the  intention  of  interrupting  our  line  of 
communication  with  Washington.  A  corresponding 
movement  was  necessary  on  our  part,  and  orders  were 
issued  that  night  to  the  army  to  be  prepared  to  move 
at  short  notice.  At  two  o'clock  the  next  morning,  our 
division  moved  towards  Culpepper,  and  then  turning  to 
the  left  marched  around  Poney  Mountain  and  bivou 
acked  at  Racoon  Ford,  where  we  remained  until  two 
the  next  morning,  when  we  marched  back  to  our  old 
camp.  Early  in  the  morning  we  were  again  in  motion, 
acting  as  the  rear  guard  of  the  army  and  passing 
through  Culpepper  moved  in  the  direction  of  Rappa- 
hannock  Station,  where,  upon  our  arrival,  we  were 
drawn  up  in  line  of  battle,  in  which  position  we  re 
mained  until  night,  when  we  crossed  the  river  and 
bivouacked  in  our  old  camp  of  August  and  September 
last.  The  enemy  followed  us  up  closely  through  the 
day,  and  at  Brandy  Station  a  smart  fight  took  place 
between  our  and  their  cavalry,  in  which  the  latter  was 
handsomely  repulsed. 


2DS  OUR  CAMPAIGNS. 

On  the  12th,  General  Meade,  for  the  purpose  of  ascer 
taining  the  true  extent  of  the  enemy's  demonstration, 
sent  several  corps  back  across  the  river.  Early  in  the 
morning  we  crossed  the  river  at  Beverly's  Ford,  and 
formed  in  line  of  battle  and  laid  there  until  near  sun 
down,  when  we  advanced  to  Brandy  Station.  Our 
cavalry  commenced  skirmishing  about  ten,  A.  M.,  and 
by  night  drove  the  enemy  back  to  Culpepper.  At  mid 
night  we  marched  for  the  river  again,  but  in  the  dark 
ness  getting  separated  from  our  corps,  we  did  not  arrive 
at  our  old  camp  until  three  o'clock  on  the  morning  of 
the  13th. 

In  this  movement  General  Meade  was  successful,  and 
on  the  same  night  Lee  crossed  the  river  further  up.  At 
seven  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  the  13th  we  moved 
towards  Warrenton  some  distance,  and  then  inclining  to 
the  right,  marched  for  Catlett's  Station,  near  where  we 
bivouacked. 

The  two  armies  were  now  pushing  forward  on  parallel 
lines,  the  intention  of  General  Lee  being  to  seize  the 
heights  of  Centreville  with  a  portion  of  his  army,  and 
with  the  remainder  to  fall  upon  our  flank  and  rear, 
hoping  by  a  sudden  and  determined  attack  to  rout  our 
army. 

THE  BATTLE  OF  BRISTOE  STATION,  OCTOBER  MTH, 
1863. — At  four  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  the  14th  we 
took  up  our  march,  moving  nearly  abreast  of  the  Second 
Corps,  and  halting  for  rest  after  crossing  Broad  run. 
On  the  Second  Corps  reaching  Bristoe  Station,  they  found 
Hill's  corps  drawn  up  in  line  of  battle.  The  troops 
which  had  advanced  on  the  left  of  the  railroad  were 
double  quicked  to  the  right,  and  the  cut  and  embank 
ment,  which  Hill  had  neglected  to  occupy,  were  taken 
possession  of.  General  Warren  hastily  formed  his  troops 
under  cover  of  the  cut  and  embankment,  and  the  enemy 
making  an  impetuous  charge  upon  his  left  flank,  the 
men  rose  from  their  cover,  and  at  close  range,  poured 
volley  after  volley  into  them.  During  the  short  but 


THE   BATTLE   OF  BRISTOE   STATION  299 

severe  engagement  that  followed,  the  enemy  were  re 
pulsed,  they  flying  from  the  field,  leaving  their  dead  and 
wounded,  several  hundred  prisoners  and  seven  guns,  two 
of  which  they  subsequently  recovered. 

Our  division  had  hardly  crossed  Broad  run  before  the 
enemy  opened  upon  us  with  a  battery,  when  we  were 
double  quicked  out  of  range,  and  formed  behind  a  wood, 
while  a  battery  was  got  into  position,  which  soon  silenced 
theirs.  The  division  was  then  ordered  forward  to  sup 
port  the  Second  Corps,  and  re-wading  Broad  run,  ad 
vanced,  but  by  the  time  we  arrived  upon  the  field  it  was 
dark,  and  the  fighting  had  mostly  ceased.  We  then 
continued  our  march,  fording  Bull  run  about  three 
o'clock  the  next  morning,  and  laid  down  for  a  few  hours 
rest.* 

And  at  nine  the  same  morning  we  were  again  on  the 
move,  passing  through  Centreville  to  Fairfax  Court 
House,  where  we  bivouacked  in  a  woods,  near  the  town, 
and  remained  until  the  morning  of  the  17th,  when  we 
advanced  to  Centreville  and  remained  there  all  night, 
the  next  morning  returning  to  Fairfax  Court  House. 

On  the  19th,  at  four,  A.  M.,  we  again  moved,  retracing 
our  steps  towards  Centreville,  fording  Bull  run,  and  that 
night  sleeping  on  the  battle-field.  Here  we  found  our 
dead  mostly  as  they  had  fallen,  and  we  laid  down  and 
slept  among  the  bones  of  our  comrades. 

The  next  morning,  the  20th,  reveille  was  sounded  at 
one  o'clock,  but  we  did  not  move  until  six,  we  passing 
Gainesville  and* halting  near  New  Baltimore,  where  we 
remained  until  the  26th,  when  we  marc  lied  as  wagon 
guard  to  New  Auburn.  While  we  laid  here,  Major 
McDonough  was  mustered  in  as  lieutenant-colonel,  and 
Captain  li.  Ellis  as  major.  The  first  mentioned  appoint- 
,ment  gaye  satisfaction  to  all. 

On  the  30th  at  six  A.  Mv  we  marched  to  Warrenton 
Junction,  and  remained  there  until  the  7th  of  November 

*  See  Appendix  A. 


300  OUR  CAMPAIGNS. 

THE  VICTORIES  OF  KAPPAHANNOCK  STATION  AND 
KELLEY'S  FORD,  NOVEMBER  TTII. — The  enemy  had  in 
the  mean  time  entrenched  themselves  on  the  north  and 
south  banks  of  the  Rappahannock,  near  Rappahannock 
Station,  and  deeming  themselves  secure  from  interference, 
had  commenced  the  construction  of  huts  on  the  south 
side,  with  the  expectation  of  remaining  there  during  the 
winter.  To  their  surprise,  however,  early  in  the  after 
noon  of  the  7th,  General  Sedgwick  with  the  Fifth  and 
Sixth  Corps,  arrived  before  their  works,  and  driving 
their  skirmishers  before  him,  occupied  a  crest  less  than 
a  mile  distant,  and  posted  his  guns.  Our  corps  was  held 
in  reserve,  under  cover  of  favorable  ground,  near  our 
old  camp.  An  artillery  duel  commenced,  and  during  its 
progress  a  storming  party,  consisting  of  four  regiments, 
of  Russell's  brigade,  and  two  of  Colonel  Upton's,  was 
organized,  and  with  a  cheer  made  a  desperate  assault 
upon  the  forts  and  rifle-pits.  To  reach  the  works  half  a. 
mile  of  open  plain  had  to  be  traversed,  but  regardless  of 
the  heavy  fire  that  was  opened  upon  them,  they  moved 
steadily  forward  at  double-quick  without  firing  a  single 
shot  until  they  reached  the  works.  Here  a  desperate 
hand-to-hand  struggle  commenced  and  continued  for 
about  twenty  minutes,  resulting  in  a  complete  victory  to 
our  troops,  and  the  surrender  of  the  enemy.  Four  guns 
and  two  thousand  stand  of  arms  were  captured,  and 
about  one  thousand  six  hundred  officers  and  men  taken 
prisoners. 

In  the  meantime  General  French  had  been  sent  with 
the  First,  Second,  and  Third  Corps   to  Kelley's   Ford, 
where,  after  a  brief  but  warm  engagement,  he  succeeded 
"in  capturing  the  rifle-pits  and  a  large  number  of  priso 
ners  arid  their  arms. 

Late  in  the  afternoon,  our  regiment  was  Advanced 
towards  the  river,  and  a  detail  of  seventy  men  under 
Captain  Byrnes  sent  out  as  pickets  to  hold  Fordrnand's 
Ford,  on  the  south  side  of  which  the  enemy  were  in  con- 


THE   BATTLE   OF   NEW   HOPE   CHURCH.  301 

siderable  force,  and  had  a  long  line  of  rifle-pits  erected. 
During  the  night  the  enemy  withdrew. 

The  next  morning,  the  8th,  we  reached  Kelley's  Ford, 
and  about  one  P.  M.  crossed  the  Rappahannock,  and 
massed  in  column  of  division,  halted  awhile,  and  then  ad 
vanced  about  two  miles  and  took  possession  of  the  fine 
winter  quarters  built  by  A.  P.  Hill's  Corps,  which  we 
(bund  much  more  comfortable  than  our  own  shelter  tents. 
They  were  composed  of  log  cabins  with  shingled  roofs, 
ample  chimney-places,  and  furnished  with  bunks,  tables, 
and  stools.  Here  were  captured  three  thousand  pair  of 
drawers,  a  large  lot  of  harness,  muskets,  horse-shoes, 
blacksmith's  coal,  etc. 

On  the  10th  we  marched  to  Mountain  run,  where  we 
also  found  comfortable  quarters,  which  the  enemy  had 
erected  in  expectation  of  enjoying  a  pleasant  winter's 
rest.  We  remained  here  until  the  24th,  during  which 
time  we  were  paid  off  by  Major  Smith,  had  several 
inspections,  and  drilled  continually. 

On  the  24th  we  broke  camp,  and  marched  in  the  di 
rection  of  the  Rapidan,  but  on  account  of  the  violence  of 
a  rain  storm  that  set  in,  we  countermarched  and  returned 
to  our  quarters  where  we  remained  until  the  26th. 

On  the  26th,  we  again  marched  from  our  quarters 
towards  the  Rapidan,  which  we  crossed  at  Culpepper 
Mine  Ford,  and  advanced  on  the  Culpepper  Plank  road, 
and  halted  near  its  junction  with  the  Orange  Plank  road, 
and  bivouacked  for  the  night  within  three  miles  of  Chan- 
cellorsville. 

On  the  27th  was  fought  the  battle  of  Locust  Grove, 
which  resulted  in  the  success  of  our  arms  and  the  retreat 
of  the  enemy,  with  heavy  loss.  That  morning  we 
marched  to  New  Hope  Church,  where  we  found  Gregg's 
cavalry  division,  which  we  relieved,  and  then  throwing 
out  skirmishers,  formed  in  line  of  battle,  and  laid  down 
all  day  under  a  heavy  shelling  without  pulling  a  trigger.* 

*  See  Appendix  A. 


302  OUR   CAMPAIGNS. 

On  the  28th,  the  enemy  were  pursued  towards  their  de 
fences  on  the  west  bank  of  Mine  run,  a  small  tributary 
of  the  Eapidan.  Their  position  was  a  very  strong  one, 
the  line  being  formed  on  a  series  of  ridges  with  enfilad 
ing  positions  for  batteries,  while  in  front  stretched  an 
extensive  marsh.  That  morning  we  moved  to  the  right 
and  halted  at  Robinson's  tavern. 

On  the  29th,  we  advanced  to  Mine  run,  and  formed  a 
line  of  battle,  and  bivouacked  there  for  the  night.  On 
the  30th,  we  were  advanced  to  the  right  and  deployed 
as  skirmishers,  and  then  moved  into  a  woods  where  we 
laid  until  the  2d  of  December.  The  shelling  on  both 
sides  was  for  a  time  very  heavy,  but  little  damage,  how 
ever  was  done.*  The  men  suffered  severely  from  the 
cold,  some  being  frozen  to  death,  and  others  carried  to 
the  rear,  totally  benumbed.  General  Warren  reported 
that  the  enemy's  right  could  be  carried,  but  after  a  care 
ful  examination  of  the  position,  General  Meade  concluded 
it  could  not  be  done  without  a  fearful  sacrifice  of  life. 
Accordingly  a  retrograde  movement  was  decided  upon, 
and  on  the  2d  it  was  commenced,  a  large  portion  of  the 
army  returning  to  their  old  quarters  at  Brandy  Station, 
while  a  portion  was  stretched  along  the  Orange  and 
Alexandria  Railroad  for  its  protection. 

On  the  evening  of  the  2d,  we  commenced  falling  back, 
and  crossed  the  Rapidan  at  five  o'clock  the  next  morn 
ing,  when  we  took  a  couple  of  hours  rest,  marching  again 
at  eight  o'clock  for  Brandy  Station,  where  we  bivouacked 
for  the  night.  On  the  4th,  we  moved  across  the  Rappa- 
hannock,  and  arrived  at  Bristoe  Station  on  the  5th. 

During  this  movement,  the  army  suffered  much  from 
cold,  many  times  being  in  positions  that  forebade  the 
building  of  fires.  Yet  they  stood  the  fatigues  and  hard 
ships  with  great  fortitude,  and  were  as  rugged  and  hearty 
as  ever. 

Our  encampment  laid  on  the  south  side  of  Broad  run, 

*  See  Appendix  A. 


FLAG   PRESENTATION.  303 

on  a  bill  overlooking  the  surrounding  country.  "We  had 
the  good  fortune  to  occupy  the  log  cabins  built  by  the 
One-hundred-and-forty-ninth  regiment  Pennsylvania  vol 
unteers,  which  we  found  quite  comfortable,  and  regularly 
laid  out  in  company  streets.  Surrounding  all  was  a 
rifle-pit. 

About  two  miles  to  the  southeast  laid  the  almost  de 
serted  village  of  Brentsville,  the  county  town  of  Prince 
William.  This  village,  like  most  others  in  Virginia,  being 
deprived  of  all  the  active  portion  of  its  population  and 
trade,  was  soon  deserted  by  those  that  remained,  who 
had  no  other  alternative  but  starvation.  Daily  the 
soldiers  entered  the  deserted  village  and  carried  off 
doors,  windows,  weather-boards,  bricks,  etc.,  to  their 
camps,  and  soon  but  little  was  left  of  the  village,  except 
a  few  occupied  houses,  the  chimneys  and  innumerable 
cats  and  dogs.  Many  of  the  latter  were  brought  to  camp, 
each  mess  having  its  pet,  which,  though  very  agreeable 
companions  by  day,  sometimes  made  night  hideous  with 
their  noise. 

During  the  winter,  the  guerrillas  became  exceedingly 
bold  and  annoying,  sometimes  approaching  quite  near 
our  picket  lines,  and  several  skirmishes  took  place  with 
them.  On  the  28th  of  January,  1864,  John  Hoover, 
Company  F,  was  ambuscaded  by  them,  and  wounded  in 
the  arm,  which  it  was  necessary  to  amputate. 

About  this  time  Lieutenant  James  C.  Manton,  of  Com 
pany  B,  while  being  conveyed  home,  died  at  Alexan 
dria.  He  was  a  brave  young  officer  of  much  promise, 
and  had  been  in  command  of  his  company  for  a  long 
while.  He  was  buried  in  Philadelphia. 

On  the  17th  of  February,  First  Lieutenant  Eobert  B. 
Smith,  Company  D,  joined  us,  he  having  recovered  from 
his  wound  received  at  Antietam. 

Nothing  of  interest  occurred  until  the  14th  of  March, 
when  a  Committee  of  the  Cooper  Shop  Volunteer  Ke- 
freshment  Saloon,  consisting  of  Messrs.  Joseph  Megary, 
Philip  Fitzpatrick,  E.  S.  Cooper,  William  Cooper,  Jr., 


604:  OUK    CAMPAIGNS. 

Samuel  W.  Nichols,  Charles  McDonough,  William 
Dougherty  and  Joseph  T.  Packer,  visited  camp,  charged 
with  the  presentation  of  a  beautiful  silk  flag  and  markers 
to  the  regiment.  The  day  was  a  beautiful  one,  and  the 
presentation  ceremony  took  place  in  the  presence  of  the 
brigade,  which  was  formed  on  three  sides  of  a.  square, 
with. the  Second  as  the  base. 

About  two  o'clock,  the  Committee,  accompanied  by 
Colonel  McCandless,  commanding  the  division,  and  Colo 
nel  Talley,  commanding  the  brigade,  their  respective 
staffs,  and  a  number  of  ladies,  rode  to  the  centre  of  the 
square  and  dismounted,  when  Mr.  Megary  stepped  to  the 
i'ront  with  the  flag,  which  he  presented  in  a  neat  and 
patriotic  speech,  which  was  responded  to  on  behalf  of 
the  regiment  by  Colonel  McCandless.  The  color-guard 
then  advanced,  and  the  Color-sergeant,  Joseph  F.  Swee- 
ton,  received  it,  amid  the  loud  cheers  of  .  the  boys  and 
patriotic  strains  of  tjie  band.  The  colonel  and  the  com 
mittee  then  took  position  and  the  brigade  passed  in 
review,  after  which  they  repaired  to  the  camp  of  the 
Second,  where  a  handsome  collation  had  been  prepared 
in  a  large  tent,  beautifully  decorated  with  evergreens. 
After  the  removal  of  the  cloth,  toasts  were  drunk,  and 
patriotic  speeches,  abounding  in  wit  and  humor,  were 
made,  and  at  taps  all  retired  to  their  quarters. 

About  this  time  the  reorganization  of  the  Army  of 
the  Potomac  was  commenced,  some  of  the  army  corps, 
divisions,  and  brigades,  being  broken  up  and  consoli 
dated  with  others.  The  three  brigades  of  the  First  divi 
sion  of  the  Fifth  Corps  were  consolidated  into  two 
brigades,  and  the  Second  Division  was  consolidated  into 
one  brigade,  all  designated  as  the  First  Division,  Fifth 
Corps,  commanded  by  Brigadier-general  Charles  Griffin. 

The  Second  brigade  of  the  Third  Division,  First  Corps, 
was  transferred  to  the  Second  division,  First  Corps,  arid 
this  division  was  designated  the  Second  Division,  Fifth 
Corps,  commanded  by  Brigadier-general  J.  C.  Robinson. 

The  old  Third  Division  (Pennsylvania  Reserves)  Filth 


RELIEVED   BY   BURNSIDE.  805 

Corps,  was  retained  as  the  Third  Division,  Fifth  Corps, 
commanded  by  Brigadier-general  S.  W.  Crawford. 

The  First  brigade  of  the  Third  •  Division,  First  Corps, 
was  transferred  to  the  First  Division,  First  Corps,  and 
this  division  was  designated  as  the  Fourth  Division, 
Fifth  Corps,  commanded  by  Brigadier-general  J.  S. 
Wadsworth. 

The  command  of  the  Fifth  Corps  was  assigned  to 
General  Warren,  General  Sykes  being  relieved. 

From  this  time  every  thing  passed  off  comparatively 
quiet  until  the  29th  of  April,  when  we  were  relieved  by 
Burnside's  Corps.  At  ten  A.  M.,  on  that  day  we  broke 
camp,  and  marched  one  mile  beyond  "YVarrenton  Junc 
tion,  where  we  bivouacked.  The  next  morning  we 
marched  at  five  o'clock,  crossed  the  Rappahannock  and 
encamped  about  a  mile  to  the  east  of  the  Culpepper 
Court  House,  where  we  remained  until  the  4th  of  May. 


CHAPTER   XXVII. 

POSITION  OF  THE  AKMIES.  OPENING  OF  GRANT'S  CAMPAIGN. 
THE  BATTLE  OF  THE  WILDERNESS.  THE  BATTLE  OF  SPOTT- 
SYLVANIA  COURT  HOUSE.  ENGAGEMENT  AT  GUINNEY'S  STA 
TION.  ENGAGEMENT  AT  NORTH  ANNA.  TERM  OF  SERVICE 
EXPIRES.  THE  REGIMENT  RESOLVES  TO  REMAIN.  THE  BATXTLE 
OF  BETHESDA  CHURCH.  THE  PARTING.  MARCHING  HOME. 
RECEPTION  IN  HARRISBURG  AND  PHILADELPHIA.  PRESENTA 
TION  OF  MEDALS. 

AT  this  time  our  army  was  consolidated  near  Culpepper 
Court  House,  about  ten  miles  north  of  the  Rapid  an,  the 
Confederate  army  was  mainly  at  Orange  Court  House, 
about  ten  miles  south  of  the  river :  the  outposts  and 
pickets  of  both  armies  reaching  that  stream,  on  either 
side.  On  the  morning  of  the  3d  of  May,  orders  for  the 
advance  of  our  army  were  issued.  The  crossing  of  the 
Rapidan  was  effected  during  that  day  and  the  following 

20 


306  OUR   CAMPAIGNS. 

night,  mainly  at  Germanna  and  Ely's  Fords,  twelve  and 
eighteen  miles  east  of  Culpepper.  Instead  of  marching 
directly  south  upon  Lee's  strong  position  at  Orange,  and 
the  entrenchments  on  Mine  river,  a  few  miles  distant, 
which  Meade  had  found  in  November  too  strong  to  be 
assailed,  and'  which  were  now  doubtless  still  stronger, 
General  Grant's  plan  was  to  turn  them  upon  the  right, 
that  is,  to  the  east,  and  thus  throw  himself  between  these 
positions  and  Kichmond.  The  effect  of  this  movement 
would  be  that  Lee  must  either  come  out  of  his  entrench 
ments,  and  defeat  this  advance  upon  open  ground,  or  fall 
back  towards  Richmond.  This  line  of  advance  would 
compel  Grant  to  traverse  the  region  locally  known  as 
the  Wilderness.  / 

The  Wilderness  is  a  broken,  sterile  tract  of  country,  in 
Spottsylvania  County,  commencing  not  far  from  the 
south  bank  of  the  Eapidan,  and  stretching  ten  or  fifteen 
miles  in  each  direction.  The  region  is  intersected  in 
every  direction  by  gullies  and  ravines  of  no  great  depth, 
but  with  steep  sides,  interspersed  here  and  there  with 
swamps.  The  low  hills  and  swells  are  covered  with  a 
thick  growth  of  stunted  pines,  dwarf  oaks,  and  under 
brush,  hardly  reaching  the  height  of  a  man,  but  so  dense 
as  to  be  almost  impenetrable.  The  roads  which  straggle 
here  and  there,  crossing  and  recrossing,  are,  with  one  or 
two  exceptions,  mere  paths,  impassable  for  the  rudest 
vehicle,  even  in  good  weather,  and  converted  into  quag 
mires  by  a  few  hours'  rain.  Here  and  there,  at  the  inter 
section  of  these  roads,  is  a  tavern  or  store,  with  half  a 
dozen  rude  dwellings  grouped  around  it.  -Besides  these, 
and  here  and  there  a  solitary  dwelling,  the  whole  tract 
is  almost  bare  of  inhabitants.  Across  this  desolate  region 
Grant's  army  must  pass  in  order  to  carry  out  the  design 
of  turning  the  works  at  Mine  run.  That  it  would  be 
attacked  by  the  Confederates,  whose  intimate  knowledge 
of  the  region  would  give  them  a  decided  advantage,  was 
a  probability  which  had  to  be  taken  into  consideration 
in  venturing  upon  the  movement. 


THE  BATTLE  OF  THE  WILDERNESS.       307 

The  army,  under  the  immediate  lead  of  General 
Meade — Lieutenant-general  Grant,  who  accompanied  it, 
taking  the  general  direction  of  the  whole  series  of  com 
bined  movements — crossed  the  Kapidan  in  the  course  of 
Wednesday,  May  4th.  The  passage  was  made  mainly 
on  pontoon  bridges,  which  had  been  thrown  across 
during  the  previous  night.  It  was  effected  without  op 
position,  apparently  before  the  enemy,  some  miles  dis 
tant,  were  aware  of  the  intention.  The  Fifth  Corps, 
under  Warren,  and  the  Sixth,  under  Sedgwick,  crossed 
at  Germanna  Ford ;  The  Second,  under  Hancock,  crossed 
at  Ely's  Ford ;  the  Ninth,  under  Burnside,  being  held  in 
reserve,  on  the  north  bank.  The  army  moved  in  light 
marching  order,  carrying  six  days'  rations,  leaving  its 
train  to  follow  after.  That  night  the  army  encamped 
beyond  the  south  bank  of  the  Eapidan. 

On  the  4th  we  broke  camp  and  crossed  the  river  about 
eleven  A.  M.,  and  bivouacked  on  the  Lacy  farm.  The 
next  morning  Companies  A,  D,  E  and  II,  under  Captain 
Mealey,  were  detailed  with  a  like  number  of  the  Sixth 
regiment,  as  train  and  ambulance  guard,  and  did  not 
rejoin  us  until  the  llth. 

THE  BATTLE  OF  THE  WILDEKNESS,  MAY  5TH,  6TH 
AND  TTH,  1864. — At  three  A.  M.,  the  line  of  march  was 
taken  up  through  the  Wilderness.  The  enemy  being 
within  striking  distance,  it  was  necessary  to  assume  and 
maintain  a  line  of  battle  fronting  towards  him — to  the 
west — while  we  at  the  same  time  moved  slowly  south warcl. 
Our  line  stretched  from  the  northwest  to  the  southwest, 
and  moved  left  in  front,  Hancock  holding  the  advance 
and  left,  Sedgwick  the  rear  and  right,  with  our  corps — 
Warren's — in  the  centre.  The  movement  had  hardly 
begun,  and  before  Warren's  corps  had  got  into  position, 
before  the  enemy  were  discovered  approaching  in  force, 
Lee  evidently  intending  to  repeat  his  favorite  movement 
of  hurling  his  troops  in  masses  upon  the  weakest  point 
of  our  lines.  The  attack  wras  made  by  Swell's  and  Hill's 
corps,  first  upon  one  point,  and  then  in  succession  upon 


308  OUR  CAMPAIGNS. 

others.  Some  of  these  assaults  were  successful  at  the 
outset;  in  one,  nearly  a  thousand  prisoners  and  two 
guns  were  captured  ;  but  the  enemy  in  the  end  was  foiled 
in  each,  and  utterly  failed  in  his  purpose  to  break  our 
lines  or  force  us  to  recross  the  Eapidan. 

The  battle  extended  far  into  the  night,  and  the  loss, 
which  was  heavy,  was  probably  about  equal  on  both 
sides ;  though  they  took  some  seven  hundred  more  pris 
oners  than  we  did.  The  battle  was  indecisive,  and  both 
armies  rested  upon  their  arms  in  their  respective  posi 
tions  upon  the  field. 

When  the  enemy  was  first  discovered  advancing,  our 
division  was  moving  to  its  position,  on  the  right  of  Han 
cock,  and  was  immediately  double-quicked  and  deployed 
into  line  of  battle,  our  regiment  being  thrown  out  as 
skirmishers.  In  this  formation  we  advanced  to  a  clear 
piece  of  ground,  bordering  on  the  Wilderness,  where  the 
enemy's  skirmishers  were  discovered  on  our  left  and 
front,  with  their  main  force  to  our  right.  Here  General 
Crawford  detached  the  Second,  Seventh  and  Eleventh 
regiments  of  our  brigade,  and  ordered  McCandless  to 
move  in  upon  the  enemy.  The  colonel  filed  the  men  to 
the  right,  until  he  had  obtained  his  front,  when  he  or 
dered  them  to  advance.  A  most  spirited  and  exciting 
fight  now  took  place,  we  driving  the  enemy  for  about  a 
half  mi] e  on  to  Wadsworth's  division,  who  were  before 
hardly  pressed.  Here  a  stubborn  resistance  was  attempted 
by  them,  and  McCandless  seeing  the  critical  position  of 
Wadsworth,  ordered  a  charge,  heading  it  in  person,  and 
followed  by  Dr.  Donnelly,  Lieutenant  Taylor,  and  other 
members  of  his  staff'  and  his  orderlies.  Animated  by  the 
heroic  conduct  of  their  commander,  the  brigade  followed 
on  the  run  with  loud  cheers.  The  enemy  were  soon 
broken,  and  driven  from  their  position,  but  such  was  the 
impetuosity  of  the  charge  that  most  of  the  brigade  staff) 
Captain  Byrnes,  and  many  others  were  captured ;  McCan 
dless  himself  escaped  by  running  the  gauntlet  of  their 
fire,  and  passed  out  unscathed. 


THE  BATTLE  OF  THE  WILDERNESS.       809 

General  Crawford  having  changed  the  position  of  the 
balance  of  the  division,  our  battalions  were  in  imminent 
danger  of  being  captured,  the  enemy  attempting  to  turn 
our  left  flank.  This  movement,  however,  was  foiled  by 
making  a  left  half  wheel  to  the  rear,  and  then  by 
doubling  around  a  hill  and  woods  for  four  miles,  under 
an  infantry  and  artillery  fire,  we  were  brought  off,  and 
rejoined  the  division  near  the  Lacy  farm.  Here  rifle- 
pits  were  improvised,  and  we  laid  down  for  the  night  in 
line  of  battle. 

The  scene  during  the  battle  was  of  the  most  exciting 
nature,  the  under  brush  taking  fire  and  wrapping  the 
Wilderness  far  and  near  in  dense  clouds  of  flame  and 
smoke,  through  which  the  brave  boys  went,  and  in 
which  many  of  their  wounded  comrades  perished.* 

On  the  6th,  both  Generals  Grant  and  Lee  resolved  to 
take  the  offensive,  but  Lee,  who  had  been  joined  by 
Longstreet  during  the  night,  however,  got  the  start,  and 
repeated  his  tactics  of  the  preceding  day,  with  even  more 
determination.  Grant  also  tried  the  offensive,  and  the 
two  lines  of  battle,  irregularly  formed  among  the  dense 
thickets,  swayed  back  and  forth  during  the  whole  day, 
first  at  one  point,  and  now  at  another.  Upon  several 
instances,  the  enemy  succeeded  in  breaking  through  our 
lines,  but  in  every  case  they  were  signally  repulsed.  , 

The  last  and  most  desperate  of  these  attempts  was 
made  just  at  nightfall,  when  a  furious  dash  was  made 
upon  the  extreme  right  of  Sedgwick's  corps,  which  had 
remained  for  hours  almost  unassailed.  Sej^mour's  and 
Shalers's  brigades  were  swept  away,  and  both  generals 
captured.  The  whole  right  wing  was  in  great  peril,  and 
if  it  had  been  crushed  the  entire  army  would  have  been 
severed  from  its  supplies  across  the  Eapidan,  and  unless 
the  enemy  had  been  checked  a  ruinous  defeat  would  have 
been  almost  inevitable.  Sedgwick,  however,  rallied  his 
forces  and  checked  the  enemy.  In  the  gathering  dark- 

*  See  Appendix  A. 


310  OUR  CAMPAIGNS. 

ness  they  were  probably  unaware  of  the  extent  of  their 
success,  and  moreover,  they  were  exhausted  by  the  ter 
rible  struggle  of  the  day,  and  withdrew  under  cover  of 
the  darkness. 

At  eight  o'clock  that  morning,  our  brigade,  in  support 
of  the  Third,  advanced  about  one  mile,  and  met  the 
enemy,  who,  with  their  skirmishers,  we  drove  back  some 
distance,  when  they  took  post  in  a  ravine,  which  offered 
them  protection  equal  to  a  breastwork.  General  Craw 
ford,  deeming  the  advantage  to  be  gained  by  carrying  it, 
would  not  warrant  the  heavy  sacrifice  it  would  require 
contented  himself  in  holding  them  in  their  position, 
which  he  did  until  four  o'clock,  by  laying  the  men  down 
in  front  of  it.  About  this  time  General  Warren  rode  up, 
and  after  reconnoitring  the  position,  ordered  us  to  fall 
back  to  our  old  place,  near  the  Lacy  house. 

About  dark  an  aid  came  dashing  down  and  ordered 
us  to  fall  in,  and  in  a  moment  we  were  double-quicking 
down  the  Plank  road  to  Sedgwick's  relief.  Upon  arriv 
ing  we  were  put  into  position,  but  soon  after  moved  to 
the  left,  where  we  succeeded  in  re-establishing  his  lines. 
About  ten  o'clock  we  were  relieved  by  his  troops,  and 
marched  back  to  our  old  position,  where  we  arrived  about 
two  the  next  morning. 

«  The  whole  battle,  like  that  of  the  day  before,  was  a 
series  of  desperate  assaults,  successful  at  first,  but  finally 
signally  repelled.  The  battle  was  a  drawn  one,  yet  we 
were  edging  a  little  out  of  the  Wilderness  on  to  ground 
where  we  could  use  artillery,  the  fighting  heretofore  being 
confined  to  musketry,  resembling  Indian  bush-fighting 
on  a  large  scale. 

At  daybreak  on  the  7th,  our  artillery  on  the  right 
opened  fire,  but  could  not  elicit  any  response.  Skir 
mishers  were  thrown  out,  and  the  whole  line  advanced, 
but  as  no  regular  opposition  was  met  with,  it  was  evident 
that  the  Confederates  were  falling  back.  Our  army  was 
immediately  put  in  motion,  marching  southward  by  a 
road  nearly  parallel  with  the  enemy's,  the  aim  of  both 


THE   BATTLE   OF    3POTT3YLVANIA   COURT   HOUSE.  311 

being  Spottsylvania  Court  House.  Lee  arrived  there 
first,  and  took  up  a  strong  position,  that  had  "been  pre 
viously  fortified. 

THE  BATTLE  OF  SPOTTSYLVANIA  COURT  HOUSE,  MAY 
STH,  9TH,  10TH,  HTH,  12TH,  18TH  AND  19TH. — Our  regi 
ment,  after  considerable  countermarching,  was  sent  on 
picket,  and  did  not  move  with  the  main  body.  In  the 
afternoon  a  sprinkling  fire  took  place  between  the  lines, 
in  which  Captain  Smith  was  slightly  wounded.  That 
night  we  were  withdrawn,  and  on  the  8th  marched  to 
Spottsylvania  <  Court  House,  a  distance  of  fifteen  miles, 
passing  over  the  ground  cleared  by  Sheridan's  cavalry, 
and  acting  as  rear  guard.  Upon  our  arrival,  we  found 
our  division  engaged,  and  we  went  under  fire  about  two 
P.  M.  The  battle  soon  after  became  furious,  but  in  spite 
of  the  burning  woods,  and  the  fire  of  the  enemy,  we 
broke,  and  then  drove  them  nearly  two  miles,  when 
finding  we  were  going  too  far,  we  halted,  and  soon 
after  returned  to  our  original  position  and  slept  upon  the 
field.  Our  loss  was  heavy,  including  Colonel  McCand- 
less,  who  received  a  painful  wound  in  the  arm.* 

We  believe  that  "The  Blue  Coats,"  are  a  good  hearted, 
glorious  set  of  boys,  and  that  heaven  was  made  for  Blue 
Coats  and  pretty  ladies,  but  it  is  with  deep  humiliation 
and  sorrow  that  we  are  compelled  to  acknowledge  that 
we  cannot  vouch  for  their  honesty.  Will  you  believe  it, 
reader  ? — just  think  how  cruel  it  was — after  the  innocent 
Second  had  marched  fifteen  miles,  and  fought  a  hard 
battle,  some  rascally  Blue  Coats  stole  all  their  meat  and 
left  them  to  go  supperless  to  bed.  We  said  our  prayers 
a  little,  and  then  forgave  them  as  they  were  Blue  Coats — 
but  if  we  had  found  out  what  regiment  it  was,  and  had 
once  have  laid  eyes  on  their  commissary  stores,  they 
would  have  had  nothing  to  eat  for  a  week.  But  fortun 
ately  for  us,  the  trains  arrived  through  the  night,  and 
rations  were  distributed  to  the  whole  army. 

*  See  Appendix  A. 


312  OUK   CAMPAIGNS. 

Colenel  McCandless  being  wounded,  and  Colonel 
Talley  having  been  taken  prisoner,  the  command  of  our 
brigade  devolved  upon  Colonel  Jackson  of  the  Eleventh. 

The  9th  opened  comparatively  quiet,  but  early  in  the 
afternoon,  the  enemy  made  an  unsuccessful  assault  on 
Wilcox's  division ;  and  there  was  sharp  skirmishing  at 
various  points  of  the  line,  in  one  of  which  the  gallant 
General  Sedgwick  was  killed.  His  loss  was  severely  felt 
by  the  army.  Towards  dusk  General  Grant  threw  seve 
ral  divisions  across  one  of  the  branches  of  the  Mattapony. 
Through  the  day  there  were  the  usual  charges  and 
repulses,  without  any  definite  result,  the  Confederates 
holding  a  semi-circular  line  around  the  Court  House, 
and  we  closely  confronting  them. 

Early  in  the  day,  we  were  ordered  to  the  right,  where 
we  took  a  position,  and  threw  up  breastworks.  Hardly 
had  they  been  completed  before  our  line  was  slightly 
changed,  which  rendered  it  necessary  to  throw  up  new 
ones.  Soon  after  we  moved  to  the  right,  and  crossing  a 
deep  ravine,  advanced  to  a  road  through  a  growth  of 
scrub  oaks,  in  which  we  received  a  heavy  fire,  but  so 
high  that  the  minnies  only  tipped  our  bayonets.  Cross 
ing  the  road,  we  charged,  driving  the  enemy  before  us, 
until  within  forty  yards  of  a  heavy  woods,  when  we  in 
turn  were  driven  back  by  a  new  line  that  suddenly 
emerged  from  it.  When  we  reached  the  road,  the  boys 
rallied  and  handsomely  repulsed  the  enemy,  who  con 
tented  themselves  with  annoying  us  with  a  desultory  and 
long-ranged  musket  fire.  Here  we  again  -threw  up  tem 
porary  entrenchments. 

The  morning  of  the  10th  was  opened  by  a  sharp  can 
nonade,  preparatory  to  a  general  attack,  which  was  to  be 
made  along  the  whole  line.  The  contest  through  the 
day,  though  most  furious  was  indecisive  in  its  results, 
though  upon  the  whole  strongly  in  our  favor.  In  the 
morning  we  were  engaged  in  building  rifle-pits,  and 
afterwards  our  regiment  was  sent  on  picket.  The  enemy 
in  our  front  became  restive  about  noon,  and  soon  we 


THE   BATTLE   OF  SPOTTSYLVANIA   COURT  HOUSE.  313 

became  engaged  in  a  spirited  skirmish,  which  was  con- 
tinned  until  dark,  when  it  ceased  by  mutual  consent.* 

Before  daybreak  on  the  llth,  Hancock's  corps  was 
massed,  and  our  division  deployed  to  occupy  the  ground 
left  vacant  by  them.  It  rained  heavily  throughout  the 
day,  and  all  remained  quiet  until  the  afternoon,  when 
some  slight  skirmishing  took  place. 

General  Grant  in  an  official  report  to  the  Secretary  of 
War,  dated  this  day,  says :  "  We  have  now  ended  the 
sixth  day  of  very  heavy  fighting.  The  result  to  this 
time  is  very  much  in  our  favor.  Our  losses  have  been 
heavy,  as  well  as  those  of  the  enemy.  I  think  the  loss 
of  the  enemy  must  be  greater.  We  have  taken  over  five 
thousand  prisoners  in  battle,  while  he  has  taken  from  us 
but  few,  except  stragglers." 

During  the  night,  the  position  of  the  corps  were 
changed,  Hancock,  finding  himself  in  front  of  the  Con 
federate  division,  under  General  E.  Johnson,  who  were 
strongly  entrenched.  At  daylight  on  the  12th,  these 
works  were  charged  and  carried  with  a  rush,  the  whole 
division,  with  its  commander,  being  made  prisoners. 
During  the  day,  there  was  hard  fighting  along  the  lines, 
we  taking  between  three  and  four  thousand  prisoners, 
including  two  general  officers,  and  over  thirty  pieces  of 
artillery.  The  fighting  was  of  the  most  obstinate  nature, 
lasting  until  after  dark,  and  being  renewed  about  nine 
o'clock  continued  off'  and  on  with  more  or  less  vigor  all 
night. 

At  one  A.  M.,  we  moved  into  rifle-pits,  and  at  day 
break  the  enemy  opened  upon  us  a  heavy  fire  of  artillery, 
to  which  our  guns  promptly  responded.  Between  us 
and  the  works  occupied  by  the  enemy,  there  was  a 
valley,  covered  by  a  heavy,  pine  and  scrub  underbrush, 
the  pits  of  each  party  crowning  the  opposite  crests. 
Through  the  morning  our  guns  having  silenced  the  fire 
of  the  enemy's,  we  leaped  over  the  pits,  and  charging 
down  through  the  valley,  we  went  up  to  the  breastworks, 

*  See  Appendix  A. 


314  OUR   CAMPAIGNS. 

and  planted  our  banners  upon  them,  but  such  was  the 
terrible  fire  of  the  enemy  and  the  stubborn  resistance 
that  we  were  driven  back  to  our  own  works.  The  boys 
were  then  laid  down  behind  the  pits  and  told  to  rest 
themselves  and  make  coffee,  after  which  we  opened  the 
fight  again,  charging  twice  over  the  valley  and  being 
driven  back  each  time  with  heavy  loss,  Lieutenants 
Eobinson,  Company  C,  being  severely,  and  Clark,  Com 
pany  F,  mortally  wounded.  In  the  last  charge,  we 
maintained  our  position  for  a  long  while,  and  did  not 
retire  until  relieved  by  Colter's  brigade.* 

The  13th  passed  in  comparative  quietness,  the  rain 
that  had  been  falling  for  two  days  past  still  continuing. 
On  the  14th,  we  advanced  southward  crossing  the  Po, 
and  passing  the  15th  and  16th  without  any  fighting. 
On  the  17th,  we  marched  some  distance,  and  threw  up 
intrenchments  within  sight  of  the  Court  House. 

On  the  18th,  the  battle  that  had  lulled  for  several  days 
past,  was  renewed,  Hancock  attacking  the  enemy's  right, 
carrying  two  lines  of  his  intrenchments  and  capturing 
six  guns.  General  Burnside  at  the  same  time  attacked 
and  drove  the  enemy's  left  some  distance,  but  subse 
quently  withdrew. 

The  19th  was  passed  in  unusual  quietness,  until  about 
six  o'clock,  when  a  sharp  fire  of  musketry  was  heard 
to  our  right,  and  well  to  the  rear.  It  was  evident  that 
the  enemy  had  attempted  to  turn  our  right,  for  the  pur 
pose  of  cutting  off  our  supplies  on  the  Fredericksburg 
pike.  Troops  were  immediately  put  in  motion  to  meet 
them.  A  portion  of  General  Tyler's  division,  consisting 
for  the  most  part  of  raw  recruits,  boing  nearest,  were 
the  first  to  encounter  them,  and  succeeded  in  recapturing 
the  ambulances  and  wagons  and  driving  the  enemy  back 
into  the'  woods,  but  were  in  turn  repulsed  themselves 
and  compelled  to  retire.  The  balance  of  the  division, 
however,  coming  up,  the  prize  was  again  wrenched  from 
their  hands  and  the  enemy  signally  repulsed.  Our  loss 

*  See  Appendix  A. 


BATTLES  OF  GUINNEY'S  STATION  AND  NORTH  ANNA.  315 

was  only  nine  hundred  killed  and  wounded,  while  that 
of  Ewell's  was  one  thousand  two  hundred  and  fifty, 
besides  five  hundred  taken  prisoners. 

When  the  firing  was  first  heard,  our  division  was  put 
in  motion  and  double-quicked  up  the  plank  road  to  the 
field,  but,  as  by  the  time  we  arrived,  the  battle  was  over, 
we  returned  to  our  position  and  rested  for  the  night. 

Everything  was  quiet  on  the  20th,  and  the  enemy 
in  our  front  showing  a  disposition  of  friendliness  it  was 
reciprocated  on  our  part,  the  boys  exchanging  news 
papers,  etc.  That  night,  General  Grant  began  to  ma 
noeuvre  to  draw  General  Lee  out  of,  his  intrenchments, 
for  which  purpose  Hancock  moved  to  the  left,  and  in 
the  evening  advanced  southward.  He  continued  his 
march  the  next  day,  and  in  the  evening  occupied  Bowl 
ing  Green.  Hancock's  movement  was  discovered  by  the 
enemy  and  Longstreet  an  hour  afterwards  moved  south 
also. 

ENGAGEMENT  AT  GUINNEY'S  STATION,  MAY  21sT. — 
The  next  day,  the  21st,  at  noon,  our  division  marched 
to  the  crossing  of  the  Fiedericksburg  and  Kichmond 
Kailroad,  at  a  stream  three  miles  south  of  Guinney's 
Station,  where  we  arrived  about  three  o'clock  in  the 
afternoon.  We  crossed  the  stream  and  advanced  some  five 
hundred  yards,  when  a  terrific  fire  from  some  twenty 
pieces  of  artillery  was  opened  us,  but  quickly  advancing 
a  short  distance  we  laid  down  behind  a  gentle  rise  of 
ground,  and  let  the  missiles  pass  harmlessly  over  our 
heads.  As  we  had  not  the  slightest  idea  under  these 
circumstances,  of  interfering  with  the  enemy's  arrange 
ments,  and  as  they  did  not  in  the  least  disturb  us,  we 
had  a  comfortable  rest  of  nearly  two  hours,  during  which 
time  there  was  a  great  deal  of  harmless  wrath  vented 
upon  us.  The  enemy  afterwards  withdrew  and  we  occu 
pied  the  heights. 

ENGAGEMENT  AT  NORTH  ANNA,  May  23d. — On  the 
22d  we  went  on  picket,  and  the  next  afternoon,  at  two 
o!clock,  we  marched  down  the  Telegraph  road,  past 


316  OUR   CAMPAIGNS. 

Mount  Carmel  Church,  to  Jericho  Ford,  where  we  crossed 
the  North  Anna  river  about  five  o'clock.  There  we 
found  the  enemy  in  force,  and  after  the  usual  preliminary 
shelling,  he  advanced  his  infantry  to  a  charge,  but  they 
were  signally  repulsed.  The  battle  lasted  with  consider 
able  spirit  until  night,  our  division  taking  over  four 
hundred  prisoners,  mostly  South  Carolinians. 

On  the  24th,  we  moved  to  the  left  and  intrenched  our 
selves,  and  remained  inactive  and  quiet  until  the  26th. 
By  this  time  Grant's  entire  army  was  between  the  North 
and  South  Anna  rivers,  and  within  twenty- five  miles  of 
Richmond.  On  the  north  bank  of  the  latter  river  was 
General  Lee's  new  line  of  defence. 

On  the  25th,  the  three  years  term  of  service  of  our 
regiment  expired,  and  General  Crawford  put  the  ques 
tion  to  the  boys,  whether  they  would  go  home  alone,  or 
remain  until  the  31st,  when  the  other  regiments  of  the 
division  would  be  relieved.  They  unanimously  decided 
to  remain  with  their  comrades  and  see  the  old  division 
through.  This  decision  was  highly  gratifying  to  the 
General  and  all  the  officers. 

On  the  same  day,  Lieutenant  Justus,  Acting  Quarter 
master,  while  out  procuring  forage  for  division  head 
quarters,  was  captured  by  the  enemy. 

To  all  appearances,  it  was  Grant's  intention  to  assault 
Lee  in  his  new  line,  as  he  did  the  former  one  alon'g  the 
Po.  But,  on  the  26th,  he  commenced  re-crossing  the 
North  Anna,  and  on  the  31st  he  had  his  whole  army 
south  of  the  Pamunky  and  within  ten  miles  of  Eich- 
mond,  with  a  new  base  of  supplies  established  at  White 
House. 

On  the  26th,  our  corps,  bringing  up  the  rear  of  Han 
cock  and  Wright's,  crossed  the  North  Anna  and.  marched 
for  the  Pamunky,  which  we  crossed  on  the  28th,  at 
Hanovertown  Ford,  Gregg's  cavalry  division  skirmishing 
and  driving  the  enemy's  before  them.  On  the  29th,  we 
advanced  to  Hawes'  shop,  meeting  with  no  opposition. 
«  THE  BATTLE  OF  BETHESDA  CHURCH,  MAY  30TH. — On 


THE  BATTLE  OF  BETHESDA.  317 

the  30th,  General  Warren  pushed  forward  our  division, 
the  left  of  his  corps,  from  Hawes'  shop  towards  Mechanics- 
ville,  we  passing  Bethesda  Church  about  noon,  and 
reaching  the  neighborhood  of  Shady  Grove  church  about 
two  o'clock,  where  we  met  the  enemy's  skirmishers.  It 
was  about  this  hour  of  the  day,  and  at  this  place,  that  we 
met  the  enemy  under  similar  circumstances  just  before 
the  battle  of  Mechanicsville,  our  first  fight.  Skirmishing 
soon  commenced,  and  we  fell  back,  making  but  little 
resistance  until  we  reached  the  road  running  from 
Mechanicsville  to  Hanover  Co.urt  House.  Here  we  com 
menced  throwing  up  breastworks,  but  had  not  worked 
more  than  half  an  hour  before  we  were  attacked  on  both 
flanks  witli  great  fury.  From  some  of  the  prisoners 
taken,  we  ascertained  that  the  attacking  force  consisted 
of  Rhode's  division  and  one  brigade  of  Early's  division 
of  Ewell's  corps,  and  orders  were  given  to  fall  back.  We 
retired  slowly  for  three-quarters  of  a  mile,  delivering  so 
steady  and  heavy  a  skirmish  fire  that  the  enemy  did  not 
follow  us  up  vigorously. 

Beaching  a  favorable  position,  the  division  was  halted, 
and  the  line  of  battle  formed  across  the  road  and  through 
some  fields  into  the  woods.  The  Third  brigade,  Colonel 
J.  W.  Fisher,  held  the  right  of  the  line,  the  First  brigade, 
Colonel  M.  D.  Harden,  the  centre,  and  Kitchen's  brigade 
of  heavy  artillery,  armed  as  infantry,  the  left,  with  two 
sections  of  a  Michigan  battery  posted  near  the  centre. 
Our  whole  force  did  not  number  over  five  thousand  five 
hundred  men.  After  the  line  was  formed,  the  Second 
regiment  was  moved  to  the  rear  and  left,  and  posted  to 
hold  a  piece  of  woods.  The  men  immediately  went  to 
work  throwing  up  breastworks,  which  were  so  formed  as 
to  enable  us  to  deliver  a  cross  fire.  The  artillery  com 
menced  shelling  the  woods  in  front  at  different  points, 
feeling  the  enemy's  guns,  from  which  they  soon  received 
a  response.  Soon  after,  near  sundown,  the  whole  of 
Ewell's  corps  emerged  from  the  woods,  formed  in  three 
lines,  and  advanced  to  the  charge.  Scarcely  had  they 


318  OUR   CAMPAIGNS. 

moved,  before  the  Third  brigade  opened  upon  their  flank 
a  severe  cross-fire,  which  turned  them  over  upon  the 
First  and  Kitchen's  brigades. 

About  twenty-five  yards  in  front  of  the  First  brigade's 
rifle-pits  was  a  fence  and  some  bushes  that  concealed  our 
pits  and  men  from  view.  The  enemy  advanced  to  the 
fence  in  most  excellent  order,  and  as  they  reached  it,  our 
whole  line,  which  had  not  fired  a  shot,  opened  upon  them 
a  crushing  fire  of  musketry,  while  the  artillery  poured 
in  canister  and  one-second  fuse  shells.  Their  repulse 
was  instantaneous  and  complete.  What  were  not  killed 
or  wounded  of  the  first  line  threw  themselves  upon  the 
ground,  and  the  balance  precipitately  fled.  Our  men 
then  slackened  their  fire,  but  whenever  those  who  had' 
laid  down  got  up  to  run,  they  were  shot.  Finally,  an 
officer  called  out  to  them,  that  if  they  would  throw  down 
their  arms  and  come  in,  they  would  be  spared,  and 
about  four  hundred  of  them  surrendered,  including  two 
colonels,  three  lieutenant-colonels,  one  major,  and  twenty 
line  officers. 

The  enemy's  loss  was  calculated  to  be  very  little  short  of 
one  thousand  men.  General  Ransom,  of  ISTorth  Carolina, 
was  left  dead  upon  the  field,  and  his  sword  was  presented 
by  one  of  the  boys  to  General  Crawford.  Colonel  Ter- 
rill,  of  the  Twenty-seventh  Virginia,  a  brother  of  the 
Union  General  Terrill  who  was  killed  at  Shiloh,  was  also 
killed.  The  Confederate  Colonel  Hoffman  was  cut  in  two 
by  a  shell.  The  color-bearer  of  the  Fifty-second  Virginia 
came  to  the  fence,  when  he  was  struck  by  a  shell  and 
literally  torn  to  pieces.  Some  of  his  comrades,  however, 
saved  their  flag.  Our  loss  was  not  heavy,  except  in  the 
first  engagement  on  the  Mechanicsville  road,  where  we 
were  compelled  to  leave  our  wounded  in  the  hands  of 
the  enemy.  It  amounted  to  fifteen  killed,  fifty-four 
wounded,  and  eighty-five  missing,  in  all  one  hundred 
and  fifty-four. 

This  signal  repulse  of  E well's  corps,  with  such 
slaughter,  by  a  force  of  less  than  one-third  of  their  num- 


FAKEWELL   TO   THE   EESERVES.  319 

ber,  and  within  a  short  distance  of  the  victorious  field  of 
Mechanicsville,  where  we  opened  the  "  Seven  days  battle," 
was  a  fitting  close  of  the  glorious  career  of  the  Pennsyl 
vania  Keserves.  That  night  we  slept  victors  upon  our 
last  field  of  victory. 

The  next  morning  we  buried  our  fallen  comrades,  and 
those  of  the  enemy,  on  the  field  of  honor,  and  left  them 
to  "sleep  their  last  sleep,"  peacefully,  side  by  side,  until 
the  last  trump  "  shall  wake  them  to  glory  again." 

In  the  course  of  the  morning,  the  following  orders 
were  received  and  read  to  the  division : 

HEADQUARTERS,  FIFTH  ARMY  CORPS,  ) 
MAY  3c,  1864.         j 

Soldiers : — With  this  is  the  order  for  the  return  of  the 
Pennsylvania  Eeserves,  whose  term  of  service  expires 
to-day.  The  General  commanding  begs  leave  to  express 
to  them  his  great  satisfaction  at  their  heroic  conduct  in 
this  arduous  campaign.  As  their  commander,  he  thanks 
them  for  their  willing  and  effective  efforts,  and  congratu 
lates  them  that  their  successful  engagement  of  yesterday, 
closing  their  term  of  service,  and  being  the  last  of  many 
battles  bravely  fought,  is  one  they  can  ever  remember 
with  satisfaction  and  pride. 
By  command  of 

MAJOR-GENERAL  WARREN. 
(Signed,) 

A.  G.  MANN,  A.  A.  G. 

HEADQUARTERS  THIRD  DIVISION,  ) 

PENNSYLVANIA  RESERVE  VOL.  CORPS,  FIFTH  ARMY  CORPS,  ) 

JUNE  1,  1864. 

Soldiers  of  the  Pennsylvania  Reserves : — To-day  the 
connection  which  has  so  long  existed  between  us  is  to 
be  severed  forever.  I  have  no  power  to  express  to  you 
the  feeling  of  gratitude  and  affection  that  I  bear  to  you, 
nor  the  deep  regret  with  which  I  now  part  from  you. 

As  a  division  you  have  ever  been  faithful  and  devoted 
soldiers,  and  you  have  nobly  sustained  me  in  the  many 


320  QUR   CAMPAIGNS 

trying  scenes  through  which  we  have  passed  with  an 
unwavering  fidelity. 

The  record  of  your  service  terminates  gloriously,  and 
the  Wilderness,  Spottsylvania  Court  House  and  Bethesda 
Church,  have  been  added  to  the  long  list  of  battles  and 
triumphs  that  have  marked  your  career. 

Go  home  to  the  great  State  that  sent  you  forth  three 
years  ago  to  battle  for  her  honor  and  to  strike  for  her  in 
the  great  cause  of  the  country. 

Take  back  your  soiled  and  war-worn  banners,  your 
thinned  and  shattered  ranks,  and  let  them  tell  how  you 
performed  your  trust. 

Take  back  those  banners  sacred  from  the  glorious 
associations  that  surround  them,  sacred  with  the  memory 
of  our  fallen  comrades  who  gave  their  lives  to  defend 
them,  and  give  them  again  into  the  keeping  of  the  State 
forever. 

The  duties  of  the  hour  prevent  me  from  accompanying 
you,  but  my  heart  will  follow  you  long  after  your  return, 
and  it  shall  ever  be  my  pride  that  I  was  once  your  com 
mander,  and  that  side  by  side  we  fought  and  suffered 
through  campaigns  which  will  stand  unexampled  in 
history.  Farewell. 

S.  W.  CRAWFORD. 

Brigadier-general  Commanding  Division. 

(Signed,) 

R:  A.  McCoy, 

Lieutenant-colonel  and  A.  A.  G. 

After  the  reading  of  these  orders,  an  order  was  issued 
for  all  those  whose  term  of  service  had  not  expired,  and 
those  who  had  re-enlisted  to  report  to  Colonel  Carroll  at 
headquarters.  From  our  regiment  there  were  Companies 
B,  Lieutenant  Cullin;  F,  Captain  Clark,  and  G,  Captain 
Woodward,  with  some  fifty  veterans  and  recruits.  They 
were  got  together  and  marched  over,  where  they  stacked 
arms  and  returned  to  spend  the  day  with  us. 

The  next  morning,  June  1st,  we  were  up  and  in  line 


COMING    HOME.  321 

easly,  and  those  who  were  to  remain  came  over  to  bid 
us  good-bye.  It  was  one  of  the  saddest  and  most  trying 
hours  of  our  lives  We  had  read  of  comrades  parting, 
and  we  had  parted  with  friends  of  childhood's  days,  but 
we  could  not  realize  the  strong  attachment  that  had 
grown  up  between  us,  until  the  hour  of  separation  came. 
It  was  the  parting  of  those  who  had  shared  their  last 
cracker,  who  had  slept  under  the  same  blanket,  who  had 
picketed  together  through  many  weary  hours  of  the 
night,  and  who  had  stood  side  by  side  when  the  storm 
of  death  was  sweeping  by — it  was  the  parting  of  brothers. 
Not  an  eye  was  dry.  From  our  general  down,  the  tears 
gushed  out  in  spite  of  strife  to  conceal  them.  But  the 
hour  came.  From  "Home  sweet  Home,"  the  bands 
changed  to  patriotic  strains,  and  the  air  was  rent  with 
the  loud  cheers  of  the  boys  as  they  shouted  their  last 
good-bye. 

But  there  were  other  sad  memories  that  clustered 
around  our  hearts  as  we  marched  along.  We  were  near 
the  fields  of  "  The  Seven  Days1  Battles,"  upon  which  the 
bones  of  many  of  our  comrades  lay  bleaching.  How 
vividly  those  scenes  of  strife,  of  glory  and  disappoint 
ment,  arose  in  our  vision  !  How  we  recounted  the  names 
of  our  dead !  But  their  spirits  still  cluster  around  the 
old  flag,  and  they  are  happy,  at  least  with  the  conscious 
ness  that  they  met  death  gloriously  and  had  fallen  in  a 
sacred  cause. 

We  took  up  our  march  for  White  House,  following 
closely  the  general  course  of  the  Pamunky,  and  arrived 
there  on  the  afternoon  of  the  next  day. 

On  the  morning  of  the  3d,  we  embarked,  and  passing 
down  the  Pamunky  and  York  rivers,  entered  the  Chesa 
peake  Bay  and  steamed  up  the  Potomac  to  Washington, 
where  we  arrived  on  the  evening  of  the  4th,  and  disem 
barking  marched  to  the  Soldier's  Rest,  where  we  slept 
for  the  night. 

At  noon  the  next  day,  we  took  passage  by  rail  to 
Baltimore,  .and  at  the  depot  formed  and  marched  through 

21 


322  OUR   CAMPAIGNS. 

the  city  to  the  depot  of  the  Northern  Central  road.  On 
our  passage  through  we  were  received  with  cheers  and 
other  demonstrations  of  joy  by  the  citizens  who  thronged 
the  thoroughfares.  We  arrived  at  Harrisburg  about  ten 
o'clock  on  the  morning  of  the  6th,  and  marching  to  the 
Volunteer  Kefreshment  Saloon,  partook  of  an  excellent 
collation  that  had  been  generously  prepared  for  us. 

The  church  bells  of  the  city  were  now  merrily  ringing 
out  a  welcome  to  us,  and  the  citizens  were  closing  their 
stores  and  gathering  to  receive  us.  The  State  guns  were 
thundering  forth  a  salute  from  Capitol  Hill;  and  the 
different  furnace  and  factory  signals  sent  up  one  con 
tinual  din  and  roar.  The  procession  to  receive  us 
arrived,  and  we  wheeled  into  line,  they  marching  in  the 
following  order: 

Chief  Marshal  William  H.  Kepner  and  Aids.  Band 
of  Music.  Military  escort,  Captain  Bate's  battery,  First 
New  York  Artillery.  Pennsylvania  Eeserve  Corps. 
Assistant  Marshal.  Governor  and  Cabinet  Officers  in 
carriages.  Mayor  and  President  of  Common  Council  in 
carriage.  Clergy.  State  Officers.  County  Officers. 
Judges  and  Members  of  the  Bar.  Common  Council  of 
the  City  of  Harrisburg.  Assistant  Marshal.  Band  of 
Music.  Officers  of  the  Army  and  Navy  sojourning  in 
Harrisburg.  Strangers  sojourning  in  Harrisburg.  Civic 
Societies.  Assistant  Marshal.  Citizens  of  Harrisburg. 
Assistant  Marshal.  Band  of  Music.  Fire  Department. 
Assistant  Marshal. 

As  we  passed  along,  cheer  after  cheer  was  given  and 
bouquets  and  flowers  thrown,  until  the  boys  were  literally 
covered  with  the  richest  floral  offerings  of  June.  About 
noon  we  reached  Capitol  Hill,  where  was  collected  a  vast 
1  concourse  of  citizens,  who  made  the  welkin  ring  with 
loud  huzzas.  Reaching  the  main  edifice,  the  Corps  was 
massed  in  front  of  the  Capitol  portico,  and  Mayor  Roum- 
fort  mounting  the  stand  improvised  for  the  occasion, 
delivered  the  following  address : 

"  Hail,  brave  soldiers  of  Pennsylvania !     In  the  name 


BECEPTION   IN   HAKRISBURG.    .  323 

of  the  citizens  of  Harrisburg,  I  greet  you  with  hearty, 
most  hearty  welcome  to  the  Capital  of  your  State. 
During  the  last  three  years,  by  flood  and  by  field,  in  the 
valleys  and  upon  the  mountain -tops,  you  have,  like 
gallant  and  noble  soldiers,  bravely  fought,  bled  and  died 
tor  our  common  country,  carrying  the  old  flag  from 
victory  to  victory.  You  have  been  on  every  battle-field, 
and  in  the  extreme  front  of  every  battle  and  grand 
contest  east  of  the  Allegheny  Mountains,  and  immor 
talized  yourselves,  winning  laurels  of  renown  unsur 
passed. 

"  Of  twenty  thousand  men  who  marched  into  the  field 
an  unbroken  front  three  years  ago,  you  now  return  the 
broken,  battle-stained,  shattered  remnants  of  two  thou 
sand  men.  May  your  departed  companions,  whom  you 
have  left  behind  you  in  Southern  graves,  who  have 
fallen  in  defence  of  our  country's  liberties,  receive  that 
crown  of  immortality  which  has  become  their  heritage, 
as  bequeathed  to  glory  and  to  fame.  And  not  only  the 
fallen  of  the  brave  ones,  whose  untimely  end  we  so 
deeply  deplore,  but  at  your  feet,  brave  soldiers- in-arms, 
cast  we  our  garlands  of  flowers.  Never  shall  your  deeds 
be  forgotten. 

"It  was  the  intention  of  the  citizens  of  Harrisburg 
to  give  you  upon  this  very  ground  a  reception  dinner, 
but  you  are  as  sudden  with  your  friends  as  with  your 
enemies ;  you  took  us  unawares  and  by  surprise.  You 
outflanked  us.  But,  my  gallant  soldiers,  the  citizens  of 
Harrisburg  do  not  despair  of  entertaining  you.  They 
have  all  agreed  to  invite  you  into  the  sanctity  of  their 
homes.  They  will  receive  you  there  as  part  of  their 
own  loved  families,  around  their  tables  and  hearth- stones. 
They  will  remind  you  of  the  old  times  when  you  used 
to  sit  at  home  by  the  smoking  hot  dinner ;  and  you  can 
relate  to  them  your  gallant  charges,  your  narrow  escapes, 
and  the  circumstances  of  your  glorious  victories  through 
which  you  have  passed  since  you  marched  from  your 
homes  to  the  battle-fields  of  Rebellion.  We  will  be  glad 


324:  OUR   CAMPAIGNS. 

to  hear  your  voices  in  our  homes,  as  we  will  be  most 
happy  and  proud  to  entertain  you.  And  after  you  have 
partaken  of  this  foretaste  of  our  gratitude,  you  will  be 
permitted  to  go  home  to  the  dear  ones  there,  in  whose 
hearts  your  memory  has  become  enshrined  as  holy  in 
the  history  of  our  Commonwealth.  My  good  friends, 
my  gallant  friends,  I  welcome  you  again !  and  when  the 
alarums  of  war  have  ceased  may  you  enjoy  that  peace  you 
so  well  deserve  under  your  own  vine  and  fig-tree,  with 
your  household  gods  around  you.  In  that  day  it  will 
be  merely  necessary  for  you  to  say,  '  I  was  a  member 
of  the  Pennsylvania  Reserve  Corps,'  and  the  answer 
will  come  from  bystanders,  '  Bless  the  brave  man !' 

"  My  friends,  I  expect  that  next  Wednesday,  at  two 
o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  you  and  we  will  participate  of 
the  dinner  which  will  be  provided  for  you." 

The  Mayor  was  most  heartily  cheered,  and  after  some 
thing  like  silence  could  be  produced,  Governor  Curtin 
stepped  upon  the  platform. 

The  Governor  spoke  substantially  as  follows : — 

"  I  thank  you,  Mr.  Mayor  of  Harrisburg,  and  you  the 
people  of  this  city,  for  this  your  hearty  welcome  to  these 
brave  men.  It  has  been  through  you,  brave  soldiers, 
that  the  hearts  of  the  people  have  been  stirred.  Your 
presence  here  again,  my  fellow-citizens  (the  Reserves), 
has  stirred  up  emotions  in  our  hearts,  deep  and  glorious 
as  our  feelings  are  to-day,  that  we  will  never  forget.  I 
cannof  find  language  to  adequately  express  to  you  the 
sentiments  and  feelings  of  Pennsylvania,  and  when  I  say, 
as  we  all  say,  'You  have  done  your  whole  duty,'  I  but 
faintly  convey  to  you  the  universal  verdict  of  the  whole 
people  of  this  commonwealth.  It  is  now  nearly  three 
years  since  you  left  this  city  a  mighty  army.  Nearly 
that  period  of  time  has  elapsed  since  I  had  the  honor  of 
handing  to  you  these  standards  which  you  are  about  to 
return  to  the  State,  unstained  with  dishonor  and  covered 
with  laurels  of  brightest  martial  renown.  You  have 
never  set  foot  upon  the  soil  of  your  homes  since  then, 


RECEPTION"   IN   HARRISBURG.  325 

save  once.  Once  you  came  back  to  Pennsylvania,  and 
then  we  all  heard  of  your  deeds,  that  spoke  in  thunder 
tones  with  your  cheers.  '  Bound  Top'  at  Gettysburg  will 
ever  live  as  a  watch -word  of  glory  and  victory.  When 
nearly  all  the  rest  gave  way  before  the  bayonets  of  the 
enemy  we  heard  your  shouts  around  the  hills  of  that 
devoted  country,  in  the  face  of  the  enemy,  and  to  you 
belongs*  the  honor  of  driving  him  from  our  soil. 

"  I  would  speak  of  your  gallant  deeds,  but  they  have 
passed  into  history.  I  have  not  time  to  enumerate  the 
battles  you  have  been  in.  History  will  record  all  you 
have  done  for  your  country.  The  record  of  the  Penn 
sylvania  Keserve  Corps  is  without  blemish  and  spotless. 
I  am  not  qualified  to  speak  of  the  heroic  dead  you  have 
left  upon  nearly  every  battle-field  of  the  Kepublic.  Upon 
their  graves  centres  the  gratitude  of  this  great  people. 
But  I  can  welcome  you,  who  have  returned  with  sunburnt 
faces  and  tattered  flags  to  your  homes.  From  the  North 
and  the  South,  and  the  East  and  the  West,  the  voice  of 
welcome  is  wafted  towards  you  from  the  old  Keystone 
State. 

"  We  did  not  know  three  years  ago  that  you  would 
remain  so  long  in  the  public  service.  But  I  can  say 
that  I  refer  with  pride  and  pleasure  to  the  part  the  great 
State  has  borne  in  this  contest,  from  the  battle  of  Draines- 
ville,  where  you  were  the  first  to  strike,  until  last  Mon 
day,  where  you  struck  your  heaviest  blow  at  Bethesda 
Church.  May  you  all  find  a  happy  welcome  at  your 
homes!  May  you  be  all  marked  as  brave  men  who 
served  their  country  in  times  of  greatest  peril.  May 
you  never  regret  that  you  belonged  to  the  Pennsylvania 
Eeserve  Corps  and  were  in  every  battle  of  the  Kepublic ! 
With  this  welcome  I  bid  you  farewell." 

At  the  close  of  the  Governor's  speech  loud  cheers 
were  given  for  his  Excellency,  Grant,  Meade  and  the 
Army  of  the  Potomac. 

Colonel  Fisher,  in  behalf  of  the  Corps,  responded 
briefly,  as  follows : — 


326  OUR   CAMPAIGNS. 

"Mr.  Mayor,  Governor  and  citizens  of  Harrisburg. 
In  the  name  of  the  remnants  of  what  was  once  a  mighty 
division,  I  thank  you  for  the  reception  you  have  given 
us  here  to-day.  The  people  of  Harrisburg,  represented 
by  their  Mayor,  have  overwhelmed  us  with  their  kind 
ness.  In  reply  to  these  kind  expressions,  the  only  re 
sponse  I  have  to  make  is  the  speech  familiar  to  the 
Pennsylvania  Eeserves.  So,  my  gallant  boys,  let  us 
have  three  cheers,  and  let  them  be  such  thundering 
cheers  as  you  gave  at  Bethesda  Church  before  we  left 
the  army." 

And  in  response  the  whole  Corps  joined  in  three 
cheers,  that  made  the  old  State  House  tremble  from 
dome  to  foundation. 

Colonel  McCandless,  who  was  severely  wounded,  being 
called  for,  made  a  brief  speech  in  thanks  for  the  Key 
stone's  welcome.  "  He  had  only  to  say,  and  he  did  him 
self  honor  in  saying,  that  they  (the  Eeserves),  in  their 
consciences  felt  that  they  had  done  their  whole  duty. 
And  we  are  willing  for  as  many  years  as  our  lives  shall 
last  and  our  blood  flow  in  our  veins  to  continue  to  sus 
tain  the  old  flag  which  we  have  carried  in  triumph  in 
many  an  engagement. 

"  We  stand  upon  a  sure  •  record.  We  fought  the  first 
battle  at  Drain  esville;  at  Malvern  we  were  there,  and 
whenever  and  wherever  the  Eeserves  were  called,  they 
were  there.  It  shall  always  be  my  pleasure  to  stand  by 
you  and  lead  you  where  you  wish  to  be  led." 

Colonel  E.  Biddle  Eoberts  being  called  for,  addressed 
the  Corps  in  a  few  eloquent  remarks,  which  were  vocife 
rously  applauded  by  the  Corps.  He  remarked  that  a 
hot  dinner  had  been  promised  them ;  but  he  remembered 
the  time  when  they  had  a  hot  dinner,  a  very  hot  dinner, 
with  no  ladies  around  to  grace  it  with  their  smiles. 

The  Corps  then  marched  to  Camp  Curtin,  where  we 
spent  the  night. 

Although  the  citizens  of  Harrisburg  had  generously 
offered  us  a  reception  dinner,  and  pressed  us  to  stay  and 


RECEPTION   IN   PHILADELPHIA.  327 

partake  of  it,  we  were  constrained  to  decline,  as  all  were 
anxious  to  get  home  to  receive  that  welcome  that  comes 
from  the  heart  alone,  without  any  pomp  or  ceremony. 
Therefore,  the  next  morning  our  regiment  accompanied 
by  the  First  and  Seventh,  under  the  command  of  Colonel 
Talley,  proceeded  to  Philadelphia,  where  we  arrived 
early  in  the  afternoon  of  the  same  day.  The  First  and 
Seventh  did  not  belong  to  the  city  but  were  ordered  there 
to  bs  mustered  out. 

Upon  arriving  at  West  Philadelphia  a  salute  was  fired 
and  a  Committee  of  Councils  and  other  organizations 
were  in  attendance.  As  the  battalions  alighted  from  the 
cars  and  formed  into  line,  loud  cheers  arose  from  the 
crowd  and  bouquets  of  flowers  were  presented  to  the  men. 
The  line  of  escort  was  formed  on  Market  street,  east 
of  the  bridge,  and  took  up  the  march  in  the  following 
order : — 

Band.  Committee  of  Councils.  Committee  of  Citizens. 
Committee  of  Refreshment  Saloons.  Liberty  Band.  Vet 
eran  Eeserve  Corps.  The  Provost  Guard.  Douglas'  Band. 
Discharged  Officers  and  Men  of  the  Division.  The  First, 
Second  and  Seventh  Eegiments  of  Pennsylvania  Reserves. 
The  wounded  and  convalescent  soldiers  of  the  Reserves. 
Mechanics'  Band.  The  Fire  Department.  Ambulances. 

The  procession  proceeded  to  the  National  Guard's 
Hall  where  the  Reserves  were  welcomed  by  Colonel 
Small  on  behalf  of  the  City,  which  was  responded  to  by 
Colonel  Talley.  The  line  of  march  was  again  taken  up 
from  the  Hall  to  the  Cooper  Shop  Volunteer  Refreshment 
Saloon,  the  streets  through  which  it  passed  being  densely 
packed  with  citizens,  who  at  various  points  gave  hearty 
cheers.  The  public  buildings  and  many  private  houses 
were  decorated  with  flags  and  patriotic  devices,  and  a 
handsomely  decorated  archway  was  erected  across  Third 
street,  at  Evelina  street  by  the  Hibernia  Engine  Com 
pany,  bearing  the  inscription,  "  Welcome,  Brave  Re 
serves."  The  bells  of  the  Fire  Companies  were  rung  as 
the  procession  passed,  and  St.  Peter's  bells  chimed  forth 


328  OUR   CAMPAIGNS. 

a  merry  welcome.  At  the  Eefreshment  Saloon  a  hand 
some  entertainment  was  spread,  after  partaking  of  which 
the  boys  were  dismissed  to  their  homes. 

Companies  C,  "  Hibernia  Target  Company,"  and  D  of 
the  Northern  Liberty,  were  taken  in  charge  by  the  mem 
bers  of  their  respective  companies  and  marched  to  their 
halls  where  a  warm  reception  awaited  them. 

As  the  boys  marched  along  they  were  not  only  greeted 
by  strangers  but  by  friends  and  relatives  who  rushed  to 
grasp  their  hands.  But  all  was  not  joy  and  happiness 
that  day,  for ,  there  was  the  fond  mother,  the  affectionate 
father,  the  devoted  wife,  the  gentle  sister  and  the  true- 
hearted  brother,  who  gazed  with  sadness  upon  the  shat 
tered  ranks  and  thought  of  those — their  own  dear  ones 
— whom  we  had  left  to  sleep  upon  the  battle-field.  Sad 
indeed  where  their  thoughts  when  they  remembered  the 
bright  eye  and  flushed  cheek,  so  full  of  hope,  of  love, 
of  glory,  that  bid  them  farewell  as  they  marched  off  to 
battle  for  the  Union  and  Liberty,  and  that  now  are  dimmed 
and  faded  away.  But  peacefully  sleep  their  dead,  for 
their  blood  arises  like  sweet  incense  from  the  altar  of  their 
country. 

A  few  days  afterwards  the  members  were  called  to 
gether  at  the  hall  of  the  Hibernia  Engine  Company,  to 
receive  the  medals  that  had  been  prepared  for  them  by 
a  Committee  of  Citizens.  The  medals  which  are  one 
inch  and  an  eighth  in  diameter,  have  on  one  side  the 
Pennsylvania  coat  of  arms  inside  of  a  wreath  of  laurel, 
with  the  words  "Second  Eegiment  P.  E.  V.  C.,  June, 
1864.  On  the  other  side  are  the  words  "  Honor  to  the 
Brave,"  "Presented  by  the  Citizens  of  Philadelphia." 
Colonel  James  Page  made  the  presentation  in  behalf  of 
the  citizens,  and  Colonels  McCandless  and  McDonough 
of  the  regiment  responded. 

Shortly  afterwards  the  regiment  was  mustered  out  of 
service,  and  now  the  name  and  the  glory  of  the  Second 
Eeserves  is  all  that  remains. 


APPENDIX   A. 

KILLED,   WOUNDED  AND  PRISONERS. 


MECHANICSVILLE, 

Private 

George  W.  Atkins,  Co. 

D 

Killed. 

u 

Anthony  W.JLaws, 

I) 

Corp'l 
it 

Private 

Isaiah  McCauley,    Co. 
Jacob  Kreis, 
Samuel  Drain, 

A 
D 
A 

u 
u 
II 

Julius  C<  Aitken, 
William  McFarland,! 
Edward  Barnes, 

E 
E 

K 

u 

William  Rowbotham, 

A 

Prisoners. 

it  . 
It 
1 
1 
1 

John  Williams, 
Ignatius  Gillette, 
Joseph  Nightingale,* 
Thomas  Ward,* 
Joseph  L.  Fisher, 

A 
13 
C 
0 
D 

Corp'l   Lambert  Longshore, 
Private  James  Murphy, 
Augustus  Rickards, 
"        James  Nicholson, 

A 
B 

B 
E 

1 

Thomas  Hackett, 

D 

GAINES'  MILL, 

1 

William  Haughly, 

D 

TffllpfJ 

( 

John  J.  Reilly, 

D 

J\.v(t(j(jUj. 

1 

Joseph  Simpson, 

E 

Corp'l 

Charles  Day, 

A 

1 

Calhoun.  White, 

E 

C.  " 

Andrew  Beckett,* 

E 

1 

James  Graham, 

E 

Private 

Thomas  Lyttle, 

B 

Wounded. 

u 
II 

George  Whiteman, 
Patrick  Dunn, 

D 
II 

1st  Lt. 

Daniel  H.  Connors, 

A 

u 

Thomas  Edmonson, 

K 

it 

John  B.  Robinson, 

C 

u 

William  Shaw,* 

K 

Sergt. 

(i 

George  W.  Fowler,  f 
Dennis  Maguire, 

A 

13 

Wounded. 

« 

James  Toomey, 

D 

Capt. 

J.  Orr  Finnie,f 

E 

Corp'l 

Jacob  Tugent,f 

A 

1st  Lt. 

Hugh  P.  Kennedy,! 

II 

u 

William  Drain,  \ 

A 

Sergt. 

Isaac  E.  Sharp,  f 

E 

Private 

William  Hoff,f 

A 

u 

Henry  Moore, 

U 

u 

Frederick  Hibberd,! 

A 

ii 

James  Stewart,! 

E 

it 

John  Kernan,f 

A 

Corp'l 

James  Thompson. 

C 

u 

Robert  Kirkwood, 

A 

(  i 

John  S.  McBride, 

D 

u 

James  McGran,f 

A 

Private 

John  Carr, 

B 

II 

Wm.  Schoenewald, 

A 

1  t 

George  Harris, 

C 

II 

John  Shaw, 

B 

u 

Charles  Stump, 

C 

II 

William  F.  Graff, 

C 

u 

William  McLain, 

0 

II 

William  Derr, 

C 

II 

John  Murphy, 

0 

II 

Chas.  W.  Nickert,! 

C 

u 

James  O'Kane, 

D 

U 

Jacob  L.  Blight, 

D 

u 

Cassius  P.  Harvey,! 

E 

*  Died  subsequently. 

•f  Taken  prisoner. 

(529) 

330 


OUR   CAMPAIG]STS. 


Private  Wm.  McDonald,!   Co 

E 

Private  Hugh  Gillen,           Co.  C 

James  Kincade,f 

H 

William  McLane,           D 

Abraham  Fulton,  f 

II 

44        Charles  W.  Schoeber,   D 

Alexander  Murdock,f 

II 

44        Edward  Peplow,            D 

44        Bernard  Finnigan, 

H 

Christopher  Grim,         E 

Prisoners. 

44        James  McKinney,          E 
Thomas  Shaw,               K 

Private  John  Haney, 
41        John  Walls, 

A 
B 

Prisoners. 

Corp.    Asher  S  McCully,          C 

GLENDALE, 

44        John  Conroy,                  C 

Killed. 

Private  Edward  V.  McKee,        C 

44        Balthasar  Steese,            E 

1st  Lt.   J.  Baxter  Fletcher,* 

E 

44        Thomas  G.  Burns,         II 

2d  Lt.    James  R.  Nightingale, 
Sergt.    Thos.  H.  Humphries, 

C 

E 

Mus'n    Thomas  Hartman,         K 

William  B.  Jones, 

E 

SECOND  BULL   EUN,  OB,  THE 

Thomas  Smith, 

E 

PLAINS  OF  MANASSAS. 

William  Prentice,* 

E 

WOl*fl 

Private  Robert  Smith, 

A 

J\!Hi(iCUj. 

Robert  Brown, 

B 

Private  Luke  Carney,                 B 

*        Daniel  Harton, 

B 

Wilberforce  Poulson,     K 

William  McHugh, 

B 

TIT/}'?/  W  /7/>/7 

4        Job  West, 

B 

rf(sUj  /tCt'C/W'. 

James  McCafl, 

C 

Colonel  William  McCandless. 

Edward  McDowell, 

C 

Capt.     Daniel  H.  Connors,       A 

44        Augustus  G.  Goodwin, 

C 

1st  Lt.   John  H.  Jack,               B 

44        Major  Whiteside, 

I) 

44        John  B.  Robinson,         C 

44        William  Burns, 

E 

O.  Sgt.  G.  Harry  Zeigler,           B 

44        Thomas  Collier, 

E 

Sergt.    Henry  Moore,                  C 

William  Macklin, 

E 

Corp.     Samuel  H.  Garvin,        B 

James  Potts, 

E 

44        Edward  Concannon,      C 

44        Samuel  Shannon, 

E 

44        Thomas  J.  Wood,          C 

Frank  P.  McNeill, 

K 

Private  George  W.  Kendel,       D 

Wounded. 

44        George  W.  McMullan,  E 
44        Robert  Patterson,           E 

Major    G.  A.  Woodward,  f 

44        Francis  Colligan,           H 

Capt.     P.  I.  Smith,  f 
44        Horace  Neide,! 

K 
A 

Charles  Weaver,            H 
44        James  Baskerville,        H 

Sergt.    Daniel  Craig, 

A 

44        Joshua  R.  Cox,              K 

44        Thomas  Crilly, 

H 

73     . 

44        David  H.  Pidgeon, 

K 

jT'TISOTiBTS* 

Corp.     Joseph  Lathrop, 

C 

Corp.     Lambert  Longshore,     A 

44        John  Collins, 

H 

Private  William  Caleley,            A 

u        John  Phillips,! 

H 

44        John  C.  Harrison,         A 

Private  George  Larkins, 

B 

44        Richard  Jeffries,             A 

44        George  C.  Barton, 

C 

"        William  W.  Nelson,      E 

Henry  O'Neill, 

C 

44        George  W.  Swancott,   K 

*  Died  subsequently. 


f  Taken  prisoner. 


APPENDIX  A. 


331 


SOUTH  MOUNTAIN, 

Private 

Charles  Reagan,      Co. 

G 

i 

John  A.  Hull, 

G 

Killed. 

i 

Isaac  Myers, 

II 

Corp'l 

Wm.  McClintock,    Co. 

B 

i 

Hiram  F.  Chew, 

K 

Edward  Booth, 

E 

i 

George  Gougler, 

K 

Private 

Charles  Stump, 

C 

i 

William  J.  Manning, 

K 

n 

Lawrence  Keefe,* 

C 

u 

Gilbert  McKeller, 

E 

It 

Augustus  Sucker, 

G 

FEEDERICKSBURG, 

if 

William  H.  Simpson, 

K 

Killed. 

Wounded. 

C.  Sgt. 

William  Derr, 

C 

2dLt. 
0.  Sgt. 
Sergt. 

Kichard  Clendinning, 
Staughton  George, 
Richard  P.  Dillon, 

H 
K 

B 

Private 

u 
u 

Michael  Brough, 
Hugh  Reilly, 
William  Moore, 

A 
B 
B 

Corp'l 

Robert  Ferguson, 

E 

u 

Charles  Devlin, 

(J 

Private 

Alexander  H.  Brown, 

B 

u 

A.  P.  Kennedy, 

G 

i 

George  Molloy, 

B 

u 

Joseph  Harter, 

G 

i 

Thomas  Donnelly, 

B 

"Wounded. 

i 

Francis  Higgins, 

D 

i 

Henry  Brown, 

E 

0.  Sgt. 

Daniel  Craig, 

A 

i 

Albert  R.  Reel, 

K 

u 

Michael  A.  Crowley, 

C 

Sergt. 

Robert  Ferguson, 

C 

ANTIETAM, 

it 

James  McCormick, 

E 

•fjr  »7  7        •» 

C.  Cor. 

James  F.  Morrison,! 

K 

Killed. 

u 

Joseph  F.  Sweeton,f 

K 

Adju't 

Augustus  T.  Cross. 

Corp'l 

Asher  S.  McCully, 

C 

2dLt. 

Max  Wimpf  heimer, 

G 

1  1 

John  S.  Lytle, 

G 

Corp'l 

William  McKecknie, 

E 

Private 

William  Schoenewald, 

A 

u 

Jeremiah  Fritz  * 

G 

u 

Peter  Cullin, 

B 

Private  Thomas  McMullin, 

B 

u 

John  Hagan, 

B 

u 

Andrew  J.  Toy, 

K 

u 

Patrick  Keely, 

B 

Wounded. 

1  1 

11 

Robert  W.  Davis, 
William  Nickert, 

B 

C 

Capt. 

Timothy  Mealey, 

II 

u     . 

Hugh  Gilleu, 

C 

C.  Sgt. 

William  J.  Fulton, 

II 

u 

John  Devlin, 

C 

O.     " 

Thomas  Canavan, 

D 

If 

Louis  Davis, 

D 

Sergt. 

Albert  G.  Barton, 

A 

If 

William  Chandler, 

E 

u 

Robert  R.  Smith, 

D 

u 

L.  Detwiler, 

E 

Corp'l 

Smith  Barker, 

D 

If 

Christopher  Grim, 

E 

u 

William  H.  K.  Bush, 

G 

If 

A.  Blankhorn, 

G 

Private 

John  Armstrong, 

A 

If 

J.  Shoemaker, 

G 

u 

Patrick  Fadden, 

B 

u 

Jno.  Shalck, 

G 

u 

Thomas  Rogerson, 

B 

it 

F.  Bitterman, 

G 

II 

Thomas  J.  Brines, 

D 

u 

William  Robb, 

H 

If 

James  Patton, 

E 

i< 

James  Baskerville, 

II 

u 

John  C   Young, 

E 

u 

George  Seddall,f 

11 

If 

Lyman  Price, 

G 

Charles  Hanf, 

K 

*  Died  subsequently. 


f  Taken  prisoner. 


332 


OUR   CAMPAIGNS. 


Prisoners. 

Sergt.    Hiram  C.  Hostetter,  Co.  G 

Corp'l    William  Brighton,  G 

Private  William  McDowell,  B 

44        George  Blackwell,  H 

PICKET  ON  THE  RAPPAHANNOCK, 

Wounded. 

Capt.     Timothy  Mealey,  H 

GETTYSBURG, 
Killed. 

Sergt.    Thomas  M.  Savage,  H 
C.  Cor.  R.  W.  Linsenmeyers,*  E 

Corp'l    George  Stewart,*  E 

Private  Thomas  Burns,  B 

John  R.  Querey,*     .  E 

Alexander  Hofter,*  F 

George  Moyer,*  F 

Martin  H,  Riggle,*  F 

Samuel  B.  Steward,  F 

Andrew  Ryan,  H 

Wounded. 

Capt.     Wm.  D.  ReitzeJ,  G 

1st  Lt.   James  C.  Manton,  B 
Sgt.  mi.  D.  Harris  Pidgeon, 

N.  C.  Staff. 

C.  Sgt.  James  Toomey,  D 

Sergt.    G.  W.  Cassiday,  F 

C.  Cor.  William  H.  Nolan,  C 

Corp'l    S.  W.  Ryan,  B 

44        Samuel  A.  Souder,  F 

Private  Adam  Erford,  C 

William  Keefe,  C 

Edward  Louge,  C 

Henry  Guy,  D 

Charles  F.  Miller,  D 
Samuel  Dunlap, 

John  Wilson,  E 

John  Hoover,  F 

William  Brown,  F 

Peter  Bowman,  F 

M.  Bowman  F 

John  B.  Webb,  F 
Robinson  T.  Sherman,  F 


Private  Jacob  Carter,           Co.  G 

Adam  Erline,  G 

Park  J.  Stackhouse,  G 

John  Hart,  G 

Thomas  G.  Burns,  H 

Henry  McGarvey,  H 

John  Seadinger,  H 

Oliver  Wilson,  H 

BRISTOE  STATION,  OCT.  14, 1863, 
Wounded. 

Corp'l    Samuel  A.  Louder, f  .  F 

Private  George  Graham,  A 

Prisoner. 

Private  Robert  Patterson,*  E 

NEW  HOPE  CHURCH, 

Killed. 

Private  Thomas  G.  Burns,  H 

MINE  EUN, 

Wounded. 

Capt.     Daniel  H.  Connors,  A 

Prisoner. 

Private  John  Labold,  F 

BRISTOE  STATION;,  JAN,  24, 1864, 

Wounded. 

Private  John  Hoover,  F 

BRISTOE  STATION,  MAR.  27, 1864. 

Killed. 

Private  William  Lindsay,  F 

THE  WILDERNESS,  MAY  5,  1864, 

Killed. 

Sergt.    John  A.  Hull,  G 
Wounded. 

Sergt.    James  B.  Read,  F 

Corp'l    W.  H.  K.  Bush,f  G 


Died  subsequently. 


t  Taken  prisoner. 


APPENDIX  A. 


333 


Prisoners. 

Surg'n  E.  Donnelly,  Staff 

Capt.     James  N.  Byrnes,    Co.  C 
1st  Lt.   John  Taylor,  E 

O.  Sgt.  Michael  Crowley,  C 

Private  William  A.  Nickert,      C 
u        John  P.  Schalck,  G 

THE  WILDERNESS,  MAY  7,  1864, 

Wounded. 
Capt.     P.  I.  Smith,  K 

SPOTTSYLVANIA    COURT    HOUSE, 
MAY  8,  1864, 

Killed. 

O.  Sgt.  Martin  Divine, 
Sergt.    Rudolph  M.  Graff, 
Private  Adam  Erline, 

"Wounded. 

Colonel  Wm.  McCandless, 

Com'g  brigade. 

SPOTTSYLVANIA  COURT  HOUSE, 
|         MAY  10,  1864, 

Killed. 


SPOTTSYLVANIA"  COURT  HOUSE, 
MAY  12,  1864, 
*     Killed. 

1st  Lt.   Robert  J.  Clark,*          F 

Private  William  Henry, 

"        Alfred  Cherry,  F 

"        Robinson  T.Sherman,*  F 

Wounded. 

1st  Lt.   John  B.  Robinson,  C 

Sergt.     Charles  C.  Upjolm,  K 
Corp1!    David  Cassiday, 

Private  Austin  Thompson,  F 

William  S.  Wall,  F 


MAY  24,  1864, 

Prisoner. 

G 

Lieut. 

James  C.  Justus, 

K 

G 

G 

REAM'S  STATION,! 

Wounded. 

Serc:t. 

John  Donnelly, 

H 

e. 

Dru'r 

George  W.  Leeti, 

H 

Prisoners. 

Private  Adam  Gehrett,* 
"        Abraham  L.  Smith, 

Wounded. 

Corp'l    John  Smith, 
Private  Joseph  C.  Curfman, 
"        Marshal  Houck, 

Prisoner. 
Private  George  J.  Halsel, 


Lieut.    A.  McK.  Storrie,  B 

Sergt.    John  McDonough,  B 

William  Brighton,  G 

u        Thomas  Fitzsimmons,  B 

Corp'l    Edward  Leatherberry,  A 

1  Private  Elmer  E.  Large,  A 

u        Steward  Graham,  A 

"        John  Elliott,  B 

"        Charles  Eckhart,  G 

lt        Michael  Ernswiler,  G 

u        Benjamin  Hartman,  G 

Joseph  Grab,  G 

u        Jacob  Harnish,  G 

"        John  Lytle,  G 


*  Died  subsequently. 

t  This  battle  was  fought  after  the  time  of  the  regiment  was  out,  and  the  men  had 
been  transferred  to  the  191et  Kegt.  P.  R.  V.  V.  C. 


APPENDIX    B. 


ROSTER  of  the  Second  Eegiment  Infantry,  Pennsylvania  Reserve 
Volunteer  Corps,  Thirty-first  of  the  line,  with  date  of  commission, 

FIELD    OFFICERS. 

Colonels. 

William  B.  Mann,  April  24,  1861.     Resigned  October  80,  1861. 
William  McCandlees,  November  1, 1861.     Wounded  at  Second  Bull 
Run  and  Wilderness. 

Lieutenant-  Colonels. 

Albert  L.  Magilton,  June  21,  1861.     Resigned  October  3,  1861. 
William  McCandless,  October  24,  1861.     To  Colonel. 
George  A.  Woodward,  June  30,  1862.     To  Invalid  Corps,  August 
24,  1863.     To  Colonel,  Twenty-second  Regiment,  V.  R.  C. 
Patrick  McDonough,  August  25,  1863/ 

Majors. 

Willriam  McCandless,  June  21,  1861.     To  Lieutenant-Colonel. 
George  A.    Woodward,   April    2,    1862.     To    Lieutenant-Colonel. 

Wounded  and  taken  prisoner  at  Glendale,  June  30,  1862. 
Horace  Neide,  June  30,  1862.     Honorably  discharged  on  account 

of  disability,  November  25,  1862. 

Patrick  McDonough,  November  26,  1862.     To  Lieutenant- Colonel. 
R.  Ellis,  October  28,  1863. 

STAFF    OFFICERS. 

Adjutants. 

Horace  Neicle,  October  1861.     To  major. 

Augustus  T.  Cross,  April  5,  1862.     Killed  at  Antietam,  September 

16,  1862. 
E.  M.  Woodward,  September  18,  1862.     Honorably  discharged  on 

account  of  disability,  September  22,  1863. 
John  L.  Rhodes,  September  23,  1863. 

Quartermasters. 

Charles  F.  Hoyt,  June  22.  1861.     To  captain  and  commissary  sub 
sistence,  July  1,  1862. 
William  A.  Hoyt,  January  6,  1863. 
(334) 


APPENDIX   B.  335 

MEDICAL   DEPARTMENT 

Surgeons.       ^ 

Thomas  B.  Reed,  June  6,  1861.     To  brigade  surgeon  volunteers, 

April  20,  1862. 
Edward  Donnelly,  April  28,  1862. 

Assistant  Surgeons. 

John  W.  Lodge,  June  6,  1861.     Resigned  Decembers,  1861. 

John  Malone,  January  7,  1862.     To  surgeon,  71st  regiment,  P.  V., 

November  4,  1862. 
A.  G.  Coleman,  July  31,  1862. 

D.  W.  Bashore,  September  13,  1862.     Discharged  November  22, 

1862. 

E.  Owen  Jackson,  December  17,  1862.     Died  August,  1863. 

Sergeant  Majors. 

Augustus  T.  Cross,  June  21,  1861.     To  adjutant. 

E.  M.  Woodward,  May  1, 1862.     To  adjutant. 

Joseph  Benison,  January  1,  1863.  To  second  lieutenant  Com 
pany  H. 

David  H.  Pidgeon,  June  8,  1863.  Wounded  at  Gettysburg,  July  2, 
1863. 

Hiram  C.  Hostetter,  July  10,  1863.  Died  near  Rectors  Town,  Va., 
July  24,  1863. 

Andrew  McK.  Storric,  January  1,  1864.  To  second  lieutenant, 
191st  regiment,  P.  V.  V. 

Quartermaster's  Sergeants. 

Wesley  Mann,  June — ,  1861.  Honorably  discharged  on  account  of 
disability,  July,  1861. 

John  L.  Benson,  August  1,  1861.  To  second  lieutenant,  191st  regi 
ment,  P.  V.  V. 

Commissary   Sergeant. 

William  A.  Hoyt,  August,  1861.     To  quartermaster. 
George  W.  Fernon,  February  1,  1863. 

COMPANY  A. 

»  Captains. 

George  A.  Woodward,  April  24,  1861.     To  major. 

Horace  Neide,   April  2,  1862.     To  major.     Wounded  and    taken 

prisoner  at  Glen  dale. 
Daniel  H.   Connors,  June  30,   1862.     Wounded  at  Mechanicsville 

and  Second  Bull  Run. 


S3 6  OUR   CAMPAIGNS. 

Robert  H.  Lowden,  April  24,  1861.     Resigned  December  6,  1861. 
Horace  Neide,  December  7,  1861.     To  captain. 
Daniel  H.  Conners,  April  3,  1862.     To  captain. 
John  J.  Ross,  June  30,  1862. 

Second  Lieutenants. 

Horace  Neide,  April  24,  1861.     To  first  lieutenant. 
John  J.  Ross,  December  16,  1861.     To  first  lieutenant 
Daniel  Craig,  May  3,  1863. 

Orderly   Sergeants. 

John  J.  Ross.     To  second  lieutenant. 

Daniel  H.  Conners.     To  first  lieutenant. 

Daniel  Craig.     To  second  lieutenant.     Wounded  at  Glendale  and 

Freclericksburg. 
George  F.  Buehler. 

Sergeants, 

Joseph  Yanosten. 

James  Lynch. 

George  Drew. 

William  F.  Huplet. 

Albert  G.  S.  Barton.  Wounded  at  Antietam.  Honorably  dis 
charged. 

Isaac  C.  Sharp.  Honorably  discharged  on  account  of  disability. 
Wounded  and  prisoner  at  Games'  Mills. 

George  Fowler.  Honorably  discharged  on  account  of  disability. 
Wounded  and  prisoner  Mechanicsville. 

William  Aiken.     Reenlisted. 

*  William  Wood. 

Corporals. 

Michael  Brough.  Wounded  and  prisoner  at  Fredericksburg,  Dec. 
13,  1802.  Reenlisted. 

James  Lewis.     Reenlisted. 

George  Rossiter.     Color  corporal. 

Lambert  Longshore. 

Jacob  Lugend.  Wounded  and  prisoner  at  Mechanicsville,  honora 
bly  discharged. 

Charles  Day.     Killed  at  Gaines  Mills,  June  27,  1862. 

Isaiah  McCaulcy.     KHled  at  Mechanicsville,  June  26,  1862. 

William  J.  Drain.  Wounded  and  prisoner  at  Mechanicsville,  June 
26,  1862. 

Musicians. 
John  Clingman. 
John  Burns.     Reenlisted. 


APPENDIX   B.  337 

Privates. 

Armstrong,  J^ohn.  Wounded  at  Antietam.  Discharged  to  enter  the 
Regular  Army. 

Bright,  Andrew  J.     Detailed  at  Division  hospital. 

CaiTelly,  William. 

Cockrell,  James. 

Craig,  David.     Honorably  discharged  for  disability,  August  19,  18G1 . 

Devine,  Charles.     Reenlistecl. 

Drain,  Samuel.     Killed  at  Mechanicsville,  June  26,  1862. 

Ettinger,  William  J. 

Goetell,  Daniel.     Died  in  hospital,  1862. 

Gohley,  Joseph.     Detached  in  S.gnal  Corps,  August,  1861. 

Graham,  George.     Reenlsted. 

Graham,  Joseph.     Died,  August  28,  1862. 

Graham,  Stuart.     Reenlisted.     Taken  prisoner  at  Ream's  Station. 

Gray,  Joseph.  Honorably  discharged  on  account  of  disability,  March, 
1862. 

Gray,  Leander.  Honorably  discharged  on  account  of  disability, 
March,  1862. 

Haney,  John.  Taken  prisoner.  Honorably  discharged  on  account 
of  disability,  September,  1862. 

Harrison,  John, 

Hay,  John.     Reenlisted. 

Hess,  William.     Died,  September,  1861. 

Hoff,  William.  Wounded  and  prisoner  at  Mechanicsville.  Hon 
orably  discharged,  September  1862. 

Holmes,  William.     Died  at  Bristoe  Station,  April,  1862. 

Hubbard,  Frederick.     Honorably  discharged,  September,  1862. 

Jamison,  William.     Transferred  to  serve  out  time. 

Jefferies,  Richard,  Jr.     Reenlisted. 

Jefferies,  Richard,  Sr.     Honorably  discharged,  August,  1861. 

*Kenny.  Raphael. 

Kernan,  John.  Wounded  and  prisoner  at  Mechanicsville.  Hon 
orably  discharged,  March,  1863. 

Kirkwood,  Robert.  Wounded  and  prisoner  at  Mechanicsville.  Hon 
orably  discharged,  January,  18(>4. 

Large,  Elmer  E.     Reenlisted.     Taken  prisoner  at  Ream's  Station. 

Leatherberry,  Edward.     Reenlisted.     Prisoner  at  Ream's  Station. 

Lukens,  John.     Drqwned.     February,  1863. 

Mann,  Wesley.     Honorably  discharged,  August,  1861. 

McCallins,  John.     Died,  September,  1862. 

McGrans,  James.  Wounded  and  prisoner  at  Mechanicsville,  June 
26,  1862. 

Miller,  John. 

Neide,  Carroll.     Transferred  to  Signal  Corps  to  serve  out  time. 

Price,  James.     Honorably  discharged,  1862. 

Quiglcy.  Albert. 

Rowbotham,  William.     Killed  at  Mechanicsville,  June  26,  1862. 

Sayers,  Matthew. 


338        .  OUR  CAMPAIGNS.  - 

Schoenewald,  William.  Wounded  at  Mechanicsville  and  Fredericks- 
burg. 

Schultz,  William. 

Scott,  Charles  C.     Reenlisted. 

Pearins,  Theodore. 

Smith,  Robert.     Killed  at  Glendale,  June  30,  1862. 

Stuart,  Henry.  Sunstruck  blind.  Honorably  discharged,  July  20, 
1861. 

Sweeney,  John.     Honorably  discharged,  August  4,  1861. 

*Townsend,  Edward. 

Trexler,  David. 

Wade,  John.     Honorably  discharged,  1862. 

West,  James.     Discharged  to  enter  the  Regular  Army. 

Williams,  Benjamin  F.     Transferred  to  serve  out  time. 

Williams,  John.     Killed  at  Mechanicsville,  June  26,  1862. 

Wolfe,  Charles.     Honorably  discharged,  1862. 

COMPANY  B. 

•  Captains. 

Patrick  McDonough,  April  20,  1861.     To  major. 
John  H.  Jack,  November  26.  1862.     To  captain  186th  Pennsylvania 
volunteers. 

First  Lieutenants. 

John  D.  Schock,  April  20,  1861.     Honorably  discharged,  August 

27,  1861. 

John  H.  Jack,  September  2,  1861.    To  captain. 
James  C.  Man<ton,  November  26,  1862.    Died,  January  13,  1864. 
John  Cullin,  January  14,  1864     Transferred  to  the  191st  regiment, 

Pennsylvania  volunteers. 

Second  Lieutenants. 

John  Gill,  April  20,  1861.     Honorably  discharged,  August  27,  1861. 
James  C.  Manton,  September  2,  1861.     To  first  lieutenant. 

First  Sergeant. 

Henry  G.  Ziegler.  Wounded  at  Bull  Run.  To  lieutenant  22d  regi 
ment  Veteran  Reserves. 

Sergeants. 

Richard  Dillon.     Wounded  at  Antietam,  September  17,  1862. 
Thomas  Stanton.     Discharged  for  disability,  December  26,  1862. 
James  McHale. 
Alexander  H.  Brown. 

Dennis  Maguire.  Wounded  at  Mechanicsville.  Discharged,  March, 
1864. 


APPENDIX  B.  339 

Aclolph  Louis  Sclmltz.     Reenlisted. 

John  McDonough.     Reenlisted.     Prisoner  at  Ream's  Station. 

Corporals. 
John  Wilson,  Jr. 

John  McClintock.     Killed  at  South  Mountain. 
Andrew  McK.  Storrie.     To  sergeant-major.     Reenlisted.     Prisoner 

at  Ream's  Station. 
Samuel  W.  Ryan.    Reenlisted. 
Thomas  McFall.    Color  corporal. 

Musicians. 
James  Loftus. 
Edwin  A.  Snyder.    Reenlisted. 

Privates. 
Brown,  James. 

Brown,  Robert.    Killed  at  Charles  City  Cross-roads. 
Burk,  John. 
Burnes,  Thomas. 
Carnly,  Luke. 

Carr,  John.    Discharged  for  disability,  September  29, 1862. 
Coy,  Michael.    Discharged  for  disability,  February  17,  1862. 
Crawford,  William.    Reenlisted. 
Cullcn,  Peter. 

Curry,  Owen.    Discharged  for  disability,  February  17  1862 
Darragh,  William. 
Davis,  Garret  B.    Reenlisted. 

Dillon,  John  P.     Discharged  for  disability,  January  15,  1863. 
Dugan,  James.     Discharged  for  disability,  July  9,  1862. 
Elliott,  John.    Taken  prisoner  at  Ream's  Station. 
Fitzsimmons,  James. 
Fitzsimmons,  Thomas.    To  sergeant  191st  Pennsylvania  Volunteers. 

Taken  prisoner  at  Ream's  Station. 

Freil,  James.     Discharged  for  disability,  February  17,  1862. 
Garvin,  Samuel  H.     Discharged  for  disability,  October  26,  1862. 
Gillespie,  James.     Killed  at  Mechanicsville,  June  26,  1862. 
Gilloly,  John. 
Gillette,  Ignatz. 
Harding,  Charles. 

Hart,  John.     Discharged  for  disability,  January  30,  1862. 
Harton,  Daniel. 
Keener,  Jacob.     Reenlisted. 
Keeny,  William. 
Kettler,  John. 
Larkins,  George. 
Laughlin,  George.     Reenlisted. 

Lyttle,  Thomas.     Killed  at  Games'  Mill,  June  27   1862 
May,  John  P. 


3-10  OUR  CAMPAIGNS. 

Melville,  Cornelius. 
Molloy,  George. 
Monahan,  Cornelius. 
Moore,  John  B.     Reenlisted. 
Moor,  William. 

Murphy,  James.    Discharged  for  disability,  December  31,  1862. 
McConaghy,  John. 
McDermott,  Patrick. 
*McFadden,  Timothy. 

McGinley,  Charles.    Discharged  for  disability,  February  22,  1862. 
McHugh,  William. 
McMullin,  Thompson. 
Reed,  Thomas. 
*Richard,  Augustus. 

Shaw,  John.    Wounded  at  Mechanicsville,  June  26,  1862. 
Sipple,  Joseph.     Reenlisted. 
Toomey,  William. 
Walls,  John. 
West,  Job. 
White,  Richard. 
Wilson,  John,  Sr.    Reenlisted. 

Rizenhart,  Jonas.    Discharged  for  physical  disability,  February  17, 
1862. 

COMPANY  C. 

Captain. 

James  N.  Byrnes,  April  29,  1861.     Taken  prisoner  at  Wilderness, 
May  5,  1854. 

First  Lieutenant. 

John  B.  Robinson,  April  29,  1861.     Wounded  at  Second  Bull  Run, 
and  Wilderness,  May  12,  1864. 

Second  Lieutenants. 

Francis  Fox,  April  29,  1861.     Resigned  August '8,  1861. 

James  R.  Nightingale,  November  4, 1861.     Killed  at  Glendale,  June 

30,  1862. 
Andrew  Casey,  June  30,  1862. 

Orderly  Sergeants. 

James  R.  Nightingale.     To  second  lieutenant. 
Andrew  Casey.     To  second  lieutenant. 

Michael  Crowley.     Wounded  at  Fredericksburg.     Taken  prisoner 
at  Wilderness. 

Sergeants. 

Henry  Moore.     Wounded  at,  Games'  Mills  and  Bull  Run. 

Robert  Ferguson.     Wounded  at  Fredericksburg,  December  13, 1862. 


APPENDIX  B.  341 

George  C.  Barton      Wounded  at  Glendale,  June  30,  1862.     To  first 

lieutenant  192d  regiment  Pennsylvania  volunteers. 
Charles  Nickert.     Wounded  and  prisoner  at  Mechanicsville. 

Corporals. 

Edward  E.  McKee. 

E.  C.  Concannon.  Wounded  at  Bull  Run.  To  Invalid  Corps,  No 
vember  10,  1863. 

William  H.  Nolan  Color  corporal.  Wounded  at  Gettysburg.  To 
Invalid  Corps. 

Asher  S.  McCully.  Wounded  at  Fredericksburg,  December  13, 
1862. 

John  Morris.     Honorably  discharged,  December  6,  1862. 

Thomas  Wood.  Wounded  at  Bull  Run.  Discharged  December  21, 
1862. 

Joseph  G.  Cline.     Reenlisted. 

James  A.  Thompson.     Wounded  at  Games'  Mill.     Discharged. 

Archibald  McCann.     Reenlisted. 

William  Derr.     Color  bearer.     Killed  at  Fredericksburg. 

Joseph  Lathrop.   Wounded  at  Gleudale,  June  30, 1862.    Discharged 

Musician. 

Josiah  Wagoner.     Appointed  chief  musician,  February  1,  1S63. 

Privates. 

Axe,  Frederick.  Discharged  to  enter  battery  M,  Second  United 
States  Artillery. 

Caldwell,  Matthew.  Discharged  to  enter  battery  M,  Second  United 
States  Artillery. 

*Carrigan,  John. 

Conroy,  John.  Discharged  to  enter  battery  M,  Second  United 
States  Artillery. 

Davis,  Thomas.     Honorably  discharged,  August  8th,  1861. 

Devlin,  Charles.     Killed  at  Fredericksburg,  December  13,  1862. 

Devlin,  John.  Wounded  at  Fredericksburg.  To  Invalid  Corps. 
December  10,  1863. 

Dolan,  John. 

Duval,  George.     Honorably  discharged,  August  8,  1861. 

Erf'ord,  Adam.  Wounded  at  Gettysburg.  To  captain,  One  hun 
dred  and  Ninety-second  Regiment,  P.  V. 

Fernon,  George  W.     To  commissary  sergeant,  February  1,  1863. 

Fredericks,  Reuben.     Honorably  discharged,  May  10,  1862. 

Furgeson,  John. 

Gaff,  William  F.  Wounded  at  Mechanicsville.  Discharged,  April 
21,  1863. 

Gaffigan,  John. 

Gillon,  Hugh.     Wounded  at  Glendale  and  Fredericksburs:. 

Goodwin,  Augustus  G.     Killed  at  Glendale,  June  30,  1862, 


342  OUK   CAMPAIGNS. 

Harris,  George.     Wounded  at  Games'  Mill.     Discharged  to  enter 

*       battery  M,  Second  United  States  Artillery. 
Hess,  William.     Reenlisted. 
Kane,  Michael. 

Keefe,  Lawrence.     Killed  at  South  Mountain. 
Keefe,  William.     Wounded  at  Gettysburg,  July  3,  1863. 
Kelly,  Michael. 

Lawson,  James.     Honorably  discharged,  Majr  24,  1863. 
Logue,   Edward.     Wounded  at  Gettysburg.     To  Invalid  Corps, 

October  29,  1863. 

Mack,  John.     Honorably  discharged,  August  8,  1861. 
McCall,  James.     Killed  at  Glendale,  June  30,  1862. 
McDowell,  Edward.     Killed  at  Glendale,  June  30,  1862. 
McKeegan,  William.     Honorably  discharged. 
McLain,  William.     Wounded  at  Games'  Mill,  June  27,  1862. 
Miller,  William. 
Moore,  Edward  J.     Reenlisted. 
Murphy,  John.     Wounded  at  Games'  Mill.     Discharged  December 

29,  1862. 
Nightingale,  Joseph.     Died  in  Richmond,  July  12,  1862,  of  wounds 

received  at  Mechanicsville. 
Nickert,    William  A.      Wounded  at  Fredericksburg.     Missing  at 

Wilderness. 

O'Donaghue,  Timothy.     Died,  1863. 
O'Neil,  Henry.     Wounded  at  Glendale,  June  30,  1862. 
Picket,  Michael.     Honorably  discharged,  March  31,  1862.  . 
Scanlan,  Charles.     Discharged  to  enter  battery  M,  Second  United 

States  Artillery. 
Scarlett,  Howard. 

Schreaves,  Francis.     Honorably  discharged. 
Sigenthall,  George.     Discharged  to  enter  battery  M,  Second  United 

States  Artillery. 
Simpkins,  Lewis. 

Smith,  Aaron.     Honorably  discharged. 

Stump,  Charles.    Wounded  at  Games'  Mill.    Killed  at  South  Moun 
tain. 

Toomey,  James. 

Vanhook,  Edward.     To  Invalid  Corps,  October  29,  1863. 
Ward,  Thomas.    Died,  March  19,  1863,   of  wounds  received  at 

Mechanicsville. 
Wright,  John.     Honorably  discharged,  February,  25,  1863. 


COMPANY  D. 

Captains. 

Richard  Ellis,  April  16,  1861.     To  major. 
Thomas  Canavan,  November  11,  1863. 


APPENDIX  B.  343 

*  *  , 

First  Lieutenants. 

John  M.  Curley,  April  16,  1861.     Honorably  discharged  on  account 

of  disability,  November  25,  1862. 
Thomas  Canavan,  May  9,  1863.     To  captain. 
Robert  R.  Smith,  February  17,  1864. 

Second  Lieutenants. 

George  Young,  April  16,  1861.     Honorably  discharged,  December  , 

3,  1862. 
Robert  R.  Smith.     To  first  lieutenant. 

Orderly  Sergeants. 

Samuel  L.  McKinney.     Discharged,  1862. 

Thomas  Canavan.     To  first  lieutenant.     Wounded  at  Antietam. 

John  S.  Firth.     Appointed  May  8,  1863. 

Sergeants. 

James  Toomey.     Color  sergeant.     Wounded  at  Mechanicsville  and 

Gettysburg.     To  Invalid  Corps. 

Robert  R.  Smith.     To  second  lieutenant.     Wounded  at  Antietam. 
John  Grady.     Appointed  August  1,  1862. 
William  H.  Dick.     Honorably  discharged,  June  14,  1863. 
David  A.  Nuttall.     Died,  August  23,  1862. 
*Edward  Sherry. 

Philip  S.  Young.     Appointed  April  1,  1863. 
Samuel  Hopkins.     Appointed  February  1,  1864. 
John  Jones.     Appointed  February  1,  1864. 

Corporals. 

Smith  Barker.     Wounded  at  Antietam,  September  17,  1862. 
George  W.  Kendel.     Wounded  at  Bull  Run,  August  29,  1862. 
John  S.  McBride.     Wounded  at  Games'  Mill,  June  27,  1862. 
John  Sagee.     Appointed  June  1,  1863; 
Jacob  Kreiss.     Killed  at  Mechanicsville,  June  26,  1862. 

Musician. 

Conner,  William.     Dishonorably  discharged,  1862. 
Privates. 

Ailken,  George  W.  Wounded  at  Mechanicsville.  Honorably  dis 
charged,  November,  1862. 

Alexander,  Samuel. 

Atkinson,  Robert.     Reenlisted. 

Baker,  Albert  C.  Discharged  to  enter  battery  C,  Fifth  United 
States  Artillery. 


344  OUR   CAMPAIGNS. 

Barford,  Jos.  A.     Honorably  discharged.     November,  1862. 
Bas^ett,  Samuel.   Discharged  to  enter  battery  C,  Fifth  United  States 
Artillery. 

Blight,  Jacob  L.      Wounded  at  Mechanicsville.     Honorably  dis 
charged,  August  27,  1862. 

Bogia,  Frederick  F. 

Bouvier,  William. 

Brmes,  Thomas  J.    Wounded  at  Antietam.    Honorably  discharged, 
December,  1862. 

Brines,  William.     Honorably  discharged,  January,  1863. 

Bargoon,  Andrew.     Reenlisted. 

Clark,  Gaven  B.     Honorably  discharged,  December  30,  1862. 

Cope,  Morris. 

Covert,  Isaac.     To  Invalid  Corps,  1863. 

Davis,  Louis.     Wounded  at  Fredericksburg.     Reenlisted. 

Dooling,  Jeremiah. 

Dungan,  Levi.     Honorably  discharged,  August  20,  1862. 

Fisher,  Joseph  L.     Killed  at  Mechanicsville,  June  26,  1862. 

Gardner,  Asa  C.     Honorably  discharged,  May  15,  1862. 

Glass,  James.     Discharged  to  enter  battery  C,  Fifth  United  States 
Artillery. 

Graham,  Henry.     To  Invalid  Corps. 

Guy,  Henry.     Wounded  at  Gettysburg,  July  2,  1863. 

Hackett,  Thomas.     Killed  at  Mechanicsville,  June  28,  1862. 

Haffey,  Charles.     Drowned,  July  23d,  1861. 

Hamilton,  William.     Reenlisted. 

*Harberger,  John. 

Harbison,  James.     Died,  August  1,  1862. 

*IIilt,  Aaron. 

Higgins,  Francis.     Wounded  at  South  Mountain.     Honorably  dis 
charged,  December,  1862. 

"-•Houston,  Marcus. 

Huly,  William.     Killed  at  Mechanicsville,  June  26,  1862. 

Kelley,  John.     Reenlisted. 

Laws,  Anthony  A.     W  ounded  at  Mechanicsville.     Honorably  dis 
charged,  October  24,  1862. 

Lauer,  James. 

Luckman,  Edward. 

•-McEuen,  Samuel. 

McLane,  William.     Wounded  at  Glendale,  June  30,  1862. 

McNamee,  Joseph.     Reenlisted. 

"""Maines,  James. 

Miller,  Charles  F.     Wounded  at  Gettysburg,  July  3,  1863. 

Mintzer,  Andrew.     Discharged  to  enter  the  Navy. 

Morgan,  James  D.     Discharged  to  enter  battery  C,  Fifth  United 
States  Artillery. 

Norris,  Richard.     Discharged  to  enter  battery  C,  Fifth  United  States 
Artillery. 

O'Kane,  James.     Wounded  at  Mechanicsville. 

Palmer,  Jolm. 


APPENDIX  B.  34:5 

Parr,  William  N. 

Patterson,  Amos.     Honorably  discharged,  November  21, 1862.    „ 

Peplow,  Edward.  Wounded  at  Glendale.  Discharged  January  8, 
1863. 

Reilly,  John  J.     Killed  at  Mechanicsville,  June  26,  1862. 

Robinson,  Benjamin. 

Schoeber,  Charles  W.  Wounded  at  Glendale.  Discharged,  Decem 
ber,  11  1862. 

Shubert,  John. 

Smith,  J.  A.  C.  J.     Detailed  at  Division  Commissary. 

Smith,  Robert  J.     Died,  September  13,  1862. 

Steele,  Joseph.     Reenlisted. 

Thompson,  William. 

*Tozier,  James. 

Vorhees,  Albert  B. 

Walters,  Heuiy. 

Weller,  William.     Transferred  to  serve  out  time. 

Wence,  William. 

Whiteman,  George.     Killed  at  Games'  Mills,  June  27,  1862. 

Whiteside,  Major.     Killed  at  Glendale,  June  30,  1862. 

*Williauis,  James. 

COMPANY  E. 
Captain. 

J.  Orr  Finnie,  April  16,  1861.  Wounded  and  prisoner  at  Games' 
Mill.  Appointed  Provost  Marshal  of  Philadelphia,  October 
6,  1862.  ., 

First  Lieutenants. 

J.  Baxter  Fletcher,  April  16, 1861.    Killed  at  Glendale,  June  30, 1862. 
John  Taylor,  May  9,  1863.     Appointed  Aid-de-camp.     Taken  priso 
ner  at  Wilderness,  May  5,  1864. 

Second  Lieutenants. 

Alexander  Black,  April  16,  1861.     Honorably  discharged,  October 

25,  1862. 
Andrew  McLean,  May  9,  1863. 

Orderly  Sergeants. 

John  Taylor.     To  first  lieutenant. 
Andrew  McLean.     To  second  lieutenant. 
George  H.  Morrow.     Appointed  May  9,  1863. 

Sergeants. 

James  McCormick.     Appointed  August,  1862. 
John  Reid.     Appointed  January,  1863. 
William  Mawlnnney.     Appointed  May  9,  1863. 


346  OUR   CAMPAIGNS. 

John  Ringland.     Appointed  September  1,  1863. 

James  Stewart.  Wounded  and  prisoner  at  Games'  Mills.  Honorably 
discharged. 

Robert  Ferguson.  Wounded  at  South  Mountain.  Honorably  dis 
charged. 

Michael  McCauley.     Reenlisted. 

Thomas  H.  Humphries.     Killed  at  Glendale,  June  30,  1862. 

William  Prentice.  Died  of  wounds  received  at  Glendale,  June  30, 
1862. 

Robert  Linsenmeyer.  Color  corporal.  Killed  at  Gettysburg,  July  3, 
1863. 

*  James  Wilson. 

Corporals. 

James  Nicholson. 

Balthasar  Steese. 

John  C.  Young.  Wounded  at  Antietam,  September  17, 1862.  Hon 
orably  discharged. 

Robert  Hill.     Honorary  discharged,  December  11,  1863. 

James  Patton.  Wounded  at  Antietam,  September  17,  1862.  Hon 
orably  discharged. 

William  B.  Jones.     Kitted  at  Glendale,  June  30,  1862. 

Thomas  Smith.     Killed  at  Glendale,  June  30,  1862. 

Andrew  Beckett  Color,  corporal.  Died  of  wounds  received  at 
Games'  Mill. 

Edward  Booth.     Killed  at  South  Mountain,  September  14,  1862. 

William  McKechnie.     Killed  at  Antietam,  September  17th,  1862, 

George  Stewart.  Died  of  wounds  received  at  Gettysburg,  July  26, 
1863.  _  » 

Musician. 
John  McLaughlin.     Honorably  discharged,  February  25,  1863. 

Privates. 

Aitken,  Julius  C.  Wounded  at  Mechanicsville.  Honorably  dis 
charged. 

Brown,  Henry.  Wounded  at  South  Mountain.  Honorably  discharged 

Birnie,  George.     Honorably  discharged.     December  17,  1862. 

Bums,  William.     Killed  at  Glendale,  June  30,  1862. 

Collier,  Thomas.     Killed  at  Glendale,  June  30,  1862. 

Chandler,  George.     Reenlisted. 

Chandler,  William.  Wounded  at  Frederick sburg,  December  13, 
1862. 

*Cunningham,"  James. 

Catanach,  John  A.     Discharged  to  accept  a  commission. 

Detwiler,  Leonard.  Wounded  at  Fredericksburg,  December  13,  1862. 
Reenlisted. 

Dunlap,  Samuel.   Wounded  at  Gettysburg,  July  2, 1863.  Reenlisted. 

Elder,  Thomas.     Reenlisted. 


APPENDIX  B.  347 

Fry,  Henry.     Reenlisted. 

Ferkler,  Frank  H.     Honorably  discharged  for  disability.  • 

Grim,  Christopher.  Wounded  and  prisoner  at  Glendale  and  Freder- 
icksburg.  Honorably  discharged. 

Grier,  James. 

Graham,  James.     Died  of  wounds  received  at  Mechanicsville. 

Henry,  William.  Killed  at  Spottsylvania  Court  House,  May  12,  1864. 

Hamilton,  Leslie  W.     Honorably  discharged,  December  22,  1862. 

Harvey,  Cassius  P.  Wounded  and  prisoner  at  Games'  Mills.  Hon 
orably  discharged. 

Howard,  John.  Honorably  discharged  for  disability,  November  28, 
1862. 

King,  Peter.     Reenlisted. 

Leight,  Andrew  M.     Reenlisted. 

Leight,  James  H.     Reenlisted. 

Lindsay,  Joseph  H. ' 

Lappin,  John.     Honorably  discharged  for  disability. 

Laird,  Samuel.     Honorably  discharged  for  disability. 

McAdams,  William. 

McAllister,  Archibald. 

McCall,  Archibald. 

McCall,  Alexander.  Honorably  discharged  for  disability,  August  30, 
1862. 

McDonald,  William.  Wounded  and  prisoner  at  Games'  Mills.  Hon 
orably  discharged. 

McFarland,  William.     Wounded  and  prisoner  at  Mechanicsville. 

McGarvey,  Samuel.     Drowned  in  James  river,  August  16,  18G2. 

McHenry,  Joseph.  * 

McKeller,  Gilbert.     Killed  at  South  Mountain,  September  14,  1862. 

McKinney,  James.     Wounded  at  Glendale,  June  30,  1862. 

McMichael,  William. 

McMillan,  George.  Wounded  at  Bull  Run.  Honorably  discharged, 
May  24,  1862. 

*Mackey,  Thomas. 

Macklin,  William.     Killed  at  Glendale,  June  30,  1862 

Markley,  William.     Reenlisted. 

Morrison,  James.    Reenlisted. 

Morrison,  William. 

Nelson,  William. 

Patterson,  Robert.  Wounded  at  Bull  Run.  Taken  prisoner  at  Bris- 
toe  Station.  Dead. 

Potts,  James.     Killed  at  Glendale,  June  30,  1862. 

Query,  John  R.    Died  of  wounds  received  at  Gettysburg,  July  2, 1863. 

Roadermel,  Christian  A.     Reenlisted. 

Shannon,  Samuel.     Killed  at  Glendale,  June  30,  1862. 

Simpson,  Joseph.     Killed  at  Mechanicsvlle,  June  26,  1862. 

Smith,  Charles  H.     Honorably  discharged,  February  24,  1863. 

Stewart,  Samuel.  Wounded  at .  Honorably  discharged,  May 

24,  1863. 

*Tweedle,  Edward. 


34:8  OUR   CAMPAIGNS. 

*Tweedle,  John. 

*Tweedle,  William. 

Wallace,  George  M.     Discharged  for  minority. 

Ward,  Samuel. 

Whelan,  John. 

White,  Calhoun.     Killed  at  Mechanicsville,  June  26,  1862. 

Wilson,  John.     Wounded  at  Gettysburg,  July  3,  1863. 

Wilson,  James  W. 

COMPANY  F. 

Captains. 

T.  F.  Bringhurst,  April  20,  1861.      Honorably  discharged,  August 

27,  1861. 

J.  E.  Barnacle,  May  14,  1862,     Resigned. 
John  M.  Clark,  August  1, 1862. 

First  •  Lieutenants. 

Geo.  W.  Kite,  April  20,  1861.     Honorably  discharged  August  27, 

1861. 

John  M.  Clark.     To  captain. 
Robert  J.   Clark.   November  23,  1862.     Wounded  at  Wilderness. 

Died  June  9,  1864. 

Second  Lieutenants. 

Win.  Edwards,  April  20,  1861.     Honorably  discharged,  August  27. 

1861. 

Isaac  Mourer,  May  14,  1863.     Dismissed. 
Robert  J.  Clark.     To  first  lieutenant. 
William  Ambrose,  May  1,  1863. 

Orderly    Sergeants. 

Win.  Ambrose.     To  second  lieutenant. 
James  T.  Moore. 

Sergeants. 

William  H.  Wilgis.     Died  in  hospital,  November  16,  1862. 

Harrison  Cressman. 

James  B.  Reed.     Wounded  at  Wilderness,  May  5,  1864. 

Thomas  S.  Coleman. 

Charles  E.  Laub. 

Corporals. 

John  Smith.     Wounded  at  Wilderness,  May  10,  1864. 
Philip  Kraft. 

David  Cassidy.     Wounded  at  Wilderness,  May  12,  1864. 
Christopher  Souders. 


APPENDIX   B.  349 

Samuel  A.  Louder.     Taken  prisoner  at  Bristoe  Station,  October  14, 

1863. 

William  B.  Snyder. 
Nicholas  Hubert. 

Drummer. 
John  Mace. 

Privates. 

Black,  Samuel.     Drowned  in  Rappahannock  river,  September  3, 

1863. 

Burns,  John. 

Bowman,  Peter.     Wounded  at  Gettysburg,  July  2,  1863. 
Bowman,  Michael. 
Bressler,  Mahlon  H. 

Brown,  William.     Wounded  at  Gettysburg,  July  2,  1863. 
Beatty,  Oscar.     Discharged  for  disability,  June  10,  1862. 
Cornelius,  David. 
Carter,  William  B. 
Chartres,  William. 

Cherry,  Alfred.     Killed  at  Wilderness,  May  12,  1864. 
Cornelius,  Isaac. 

Curfman,  Joseph  C.     Wounded  at  Wilderness,  May  10,  1864. 
Cassidy,  George  W. 
Decker,  William  S. 
Delanej7,  Daniel. 
Davis,  John  P. 
Figart,  Andrew  M. 
Gehrett,  Adam.     Wounded  at  Wilderness,   May  10,  1864.     Died, 

May  16,  1864. 
Glunt,  William  C. 
Green,  Benjamin  F. 

Green,  Martin.     Transferred  to  serve  out  time. 
Hoover,  John.   Wounded  at  Bristoe,  January  24, 1864.    Discharged, 

June  17,  1864. 

Houck,  Marshall.     Wounded  at  Wilderness,  May  10,  1864. 
Halsel,  George  J.     Taken  prisoner,  May  10,  1864. 
Hollingshead,  John. 
Hoffer,  Alexander.     Wounded  at  Gettysburg,  July  2,  1863.     Died, 

July  22,  1863. 

Holl,  Adolphus.     Discharged  for  disability,  September  2,  1862. 
Hopkins,  Wni.  M. 

Lindsay,  William.     Killed  at  Bristoe,  March  27,  1864. 
Labold,  John.     Taken  prisoner  at  Mine  Run,  November  —  1863. 
Maurer,  Abraham. 
Mover,  George.     Wounded  at  Gettysburg,   July  2,  1863.      Died, 

July  26,  1863. 
Moore,  William. 
Murty,  James  T. 


350  OUR  CAMPAIGNS. 

Meadevillc,  Joshua. 

Phillips,  Patrick. 

Quarry,  Alfred.     Transferred  to  serve  out  time. 

Quarry,  Levi. 

Quarry,  Michael.     Transferred  to  serve  out  time. 

Reid,  William  J. 

Ring,  Charles  P.     Discharged  for  disability,  February  10,  1863. 

Rutherford,  James. 

Riggle,  Martin  A.     Wounded  at  Gettysburg,  July  3,  1863.     Died, 

August  19,  1863. 
Riggleman,  Jonathan. 
Shank,  Nicholas. 

Stewart,  Samuel.     Killed  at  Gettysburg,  July  3,  1863. 
Smith,  Abraham  L.     Killed  at  Wilderness,  May  10,  1864. 
Sneath,  Robert. 

Straitliff,  John.     Transferred  to  serve  out  time. 
Sharrow,  William. 
Sherman,   Robinson  T.     Wounded  at  Gettysburg,   July  3,    1863. 

Wounded  at  Wilderness,  May  12,  1864.     Died,  June  3, 

1864. 

Shaffer,  Jonathan.     Transferred  to  serve  out  time. 
Steele,  Louden. 

Thompson,  Austin.     Wounded  at  Wilderness,  May  12,  1864. 
Treawe,  Elihu.     Transferred  to  serve  out  time. 
Vanzant,  Wm.  R. 

Wall,  William  S.     Wounded  at  Wilderness,  May  12,  1864. 
Webb,  John  B.     Wounded  at  Gettysburg. 

Webb,-  Henry.     Drowned  in  Rappahannock  river,  May  27,  1862. 
Wright,  John  F. 
Wright,  Levi.     Discharged  for  disability,  September  16,  1862. 


COMPANY  G. 

Captains. 

E.  M.  Woodward,  April  20,  1861.     Honorably  discharged,  August 

27,  1862. 
Wm.  D.   Reitzel.  July,  1862.     Resigned,  December  7,  1863.     To 

Captain  one  hundred  days  men. 

First  Lieutenants. 

Henry  Sheetz,  April  20,  1861.     To  aide-de-camp  to  General  McCall. 
John  K.  Brown,  July  20,  1861.     Honorably  discharged,  August  27. 

1862. 
John  L.  Rhoads,  March  20, 1862.     To  adjutant,  September  23, 1863. 

Second  Lieutenants. 
John  K.  Brown,  April  20,  1861.     To  first  lieutenant. 


APPENDIX  B.  351 

Charles  F.  Hoyt,  July  16,  1861.  To  captain  and  commissary  sub 
sistence,  volunteers. 

Max  Wimpiheimer,  July  2,  1862.  Killed  at  Antietam,  September 
17,  1862. 

Elisha  P.  Woodward,  September  17,  1862.  To  captain  company  0, 
191st  regiment,  Pennsylvania  veteran  volunteers. 

Orderly  Sergeants. 

Abram  H.  Witmer.     Died  April,  1863. 

Elisha  P.  Woodward.     To  second  lieutenant,  September  17,  1862. 

Martin  Devine.     Killed  at  Spottsylvania  Court  House. 

Sergeants. 

Hiram  C.  Hostetter.     To  sergeant  major.     Died,  July  24,  1863. 

George  L.  Myers. 

George  Brittain.     To  hospital  steward. 

Frederick  K.  Ort. 

John  A.  Hull.     Wounded  at  Antietam.     Killed  at  Spottsylvania 

Court  House. 

Rudolph  M.  Graetf.     Killed  at  Spottsylvania  Court  House. 
William  Brighton.     Taken  prisoner  Ream's  Station. 

Corporals. 

*Charles  W.  Stout. 

Wm.  H.  K.  Bush.  Wounded  at  Antietam.  Wounded  and  prisoner 
at  Spottsylvania  Court  House. 

Charles  Gartner. 

John  A.  Ziegler.     Died  August,  1862. 

John  Lytle.  Wounded  at  Fredencksburg.  Prisoner  at  Ream's 
Station. 

Jeremiah  Fritz.     Died  of  wounds  received  at  Antietam. 

Thomas  M.  Fisher.  To  first  lieutenant  191st  regiment  Pennsyl 
vania  Veteran  Volunteers. 

Franklin  E.  Jones. 

Musicians. 
Marshall  Green. 
William  J.  Kendig. 

Privates. 

Allgier,  Samuel.     Honorably  discharged,  September  22,  1862. 

Allbright,  John.     Honorably  discharged,  May  21,  1862. 

*Bauer,  Jacob. 

Bitterman,  Francis.     Wounded  at  Fredericksburg. 

Blankhorn,  Andrew.     Wounded  at  Fredericksburg 

Block,  Hugo.     Transferred  to  battery  C,  5th  United  States  artillery. 

Carter,  Jacob.     Wounded  at  Gettysburg. 

*Crainer,  Charles. 


352  OUK   CAMPAIGNS. 

Daveler,  George  F. 

Davis,  Amos. 

Ely,  Thomas  S.     Died  on  the  march. 

Erlme,  Adam.  Wounded  at  Gettysburg.  Killed  at  Spottsylvania 
Court  House. 

Emswiler,  Michael.     Prisoner  at  Ream's  Statior 

Eckhart,  Charles.     Prisoner  at  Ream's  Station. 

•••Green,  Alexander. 

Grab,  Joseph.     Prisoner  at  Ream's  Station. 

Gerkhart,  John  H. 

Harnish,  Jacob.     Prisoner  at  Ream's  Station. 

Horst,  Martin.     Died  October  21,  1862. 

Hartman,  Benjamin.     Prisoner  at  Ream's  Station. 

Halmlan,  John. 

Hart,  John.     Wounded  at  Gettysburg. 

Harter,  Joseph.     Killed  at  Fredericksburg,  December  13,  1862. 

Kennedy,  Andrew  P.    Killed  at  Fredericksburg,  December  13,  1862. 

Kepler,  Isaac.     Honorably  discharged  for  disability,  January,  1863. 

Kais,  Sebastian.  Honorably  discharged  for  disability,  January  26, 
1863. 

Ludwig,  George  J.  Honorably  discharged  for  disability,  April  20, 
1863. 

Lex,  Charles.   Honorably  discharged  for  disability,  January  28, 1863. 

*Light,  Absolom. 

Leed,  George  W. 

Lithgow,  George  W. 

Lippold,  Charles.     To  Veteran  Reserve  Corps,  April  4,  1864. 

Myer,  Christian.  To  battery  C,  Fifth  United  States  artillery,  Octo 
ber  eO,  1862. 

Mull,  Franklin.     To  Veteran  Reserve  Corps,  February  13,  1864. 

Means,  Henry  W.     Died,  November  28, 1862. 

Neild,  Thomas  H.     To  United  States  Navy,  May  1,  1864. 

•"Xiehols,  Samuel. 

Paine,  Samuel  J.    Honorably  discharged  for  disability,  May  8, 1863. 

Price,  Lyrnan  S.     Wounded  at  Autietam. 

Pierce,  Davis  O. 

Reagan,  Charles.  Wounded  at  Antietam.  Honorably  discharged, 
Februaiy  17,  1863. 

*Rick,  Charles. 

Stackhouse,  Park  J.  Wounded  at  Gettysburg.  Honorably  dis 
charged. 

Schmeidel,  Augustus. 

Sohrn,  John.     Honorably  discharged  for  disability,  July,  1862. 

Sv'hoen,  John. 

Ste:nruck,  John. 

Shivers,  James.     To  Veteran  Reserve  Corps. 

Sucker,  Augustus.     Killed  at  South  Mountain. 

Schaick,  John  P.  Wounded  at  Fredericksburg.  Prisoner,  May  5, 
1864. 

Shilling,  Henry. 


APPENDIX  B.  353 

Stevenson,  William.     Honorably  discharged  for  disability. 
Schlotte,  Wm.  G.     Honorably  discharged  for  disability,  January  13, 

1863. 

Schnaeder,  Michael. 

Shoemaker,  John.     Wounded  at  Fredericksburg. 
Young,  George  W.     Died,  August  27,  1862. 
White,  John.     To  Veteran  Reserve  Corps. 
*Weldon,  James. 
*Waltze,  George. 

COMPANY  H. 

Captain. 

Timothy  Mealey,  April  17,  1861.  Wounded  at  Antietam  and  Fred 
ericksburg. 

First  Lieutenants. 

Peter  Somers,  April  17,  1861.     Resigned  February  12,  1862. 

Hugh  P.  Kennedy,  February  19,  1862.  Wounded  at  Games'  Mills. 
Resigned,  December  25,  1862. 

Richard  Clendining,  December  25,  1862.  Wounded  at  South  Moun 
tain. 

Joseph  Benison,  September  11,  1863 

Second  Lieutenants. 

Richard  Clendining,  October  17,  1861.     To  first  lieutenant. 
William  McGlenn,  December  25,  1862.     To  first  lieutenant. 
Joseph  Benison,  March  17,  1863.     To  first  lieutenant. 
Samuel  W.  Wallace,  September  11,  1863. 

First  Sergeants. 

Samuel  Wallace.     Made  first  sergeant,  May  9,  1863. 
James  Cook.     Made  first  sergeant,  May  1,  1864.     Reenlisted.     To 
lieutenant  191st  regiment  P.  V. 

Sergeants. 

Francis  Kane.     Discharged  for  disability,  February  3,  1862. 

William  J.  Fulton.  Wounded  at  Antietam.  To  lieutenant  Invalid 
Corps. 

John  Donnelly.     Reenlisted.     Wounded  at  Ream's  Station. 

John  Barnes.     Made  sergeant  from  private,  May,  1864. 

Robert  Cunningham.     Made  sergeant  from  private,  May,  1864. 

Thomas  M.  Savage.  Made  sergeant,  June  1, 1863.  Killed  at  Gettys 
burg,  July  2,  1863. 

Corporals. 

Thomas  H.  Gouldey.     Appointed  corporal,  February,  1863. 
Hugh  J.  Strain.     Appointed  corporal,  February,  1863. 

23 


354  OUR  CAMPAIGNS. 

Elwood  Haas.     Appointed  corporal  February,  1863. 
John  Collins.     Wounded  at  Charles  City  Cross-roads.     Discharged, 
January  10,  1863.  . 

Musician. 
George  W.  Leeti.    Reenlisted.    Wounded  at  Ream's  Station. 

Privates. 

Azpell,  Clinton. 

Allen,  James.     Discharged  for  disability,  April,  1863. 

Blackwell,  George.     Discharged  December  24,  1863. 

Baskerville,  James. 

Burns,  Thomas  G.  Killed  at  New  Hope  Church,  Va.,  November 
28,  1863. 

Burns,  Peter. 

Coligan,  Francis.  Wounded  at  Bull  Run.  Discharged,  November 
1,  1862. 

Connor,  John.     Transferred  to  serve  out  unexpired  time. 

Clendining,  Samuel.     Reenlisted.    , 

Crilly,  Thomas.  Wounded  at  Charles  City  Cross-roads.  To  ser 
geant. 

Dempsey,  John.    Discharged  for  disability,  March  3,  1864. 

Dempsey,  Patrick. 

Dempsey,  Charles. 

Dickinson,  Benjamin.     Transferred  to  Invalid  Corps. 

Dubois,  Edward.     To  sergeant. 

Dunn,  Patrick.     Killed  at  Games'  Mills,  June  27,  1862. 

Farren,  James  J.     Died,  November  10,  1862. 

Flaherty,  William. 

Frazier,  John. 

Finegan,  Bernard.  Wounded  at  Games'  Mills.  Discharged,  Decem 
ber  23,  1862. 

Fulton,  Abraham.     Wounded  at  Games'  Mills,  June  27,  1862. 

Germain,  Edward.     Discharged  for  disability,  July,  1861. 

Gillespie,  James.  L.  Discharged,  July,  1862,  to  accept  a  commis 
sion. 

Hackney,  Ezekiel. 

Harshaw,  Samuel. 

Haffey,  Charles.     Reenlisted. 

Kincacle,  James.  Wounded  at  Games'  Mills.  Discharged,  April, 
1863. 

*Kuttler,  Charles. 

Loane,  Abraham.    Transferred  to  serve  out  time. 

Long,  John.     . 

McGarvey,  Henry. 

Moody,  Jonathan. 

Myers,  George  L. 

Myers,  Isaac.   Wounded  at  Antietam.   Discharged,  November,  1862. 


APPENDIX  B.  355 

Murdock,  Alexander.      Wounded  at  Games'   Mills.      Discharged, 

January  16,  1863. 

McCann,  John.     Discharged  for  disability,  April  21,  1864. 
Murphy,  Charles.     Transferred  to  serve  out  unexpired  term. 
Montage,  John.     Transferred  to  serve  out  unexpired  term. 
Messmore,  George.     Transferred  to  serve  out  unexpired  term. 
McCormick,  Edward.     Discharged  for  disability,  June,  1862. 
McGonigle,  Cornelius..   Discharged  for  disability,  Februarys,  1862. 
Mount,  Michael. 

Mackin,  Henry  L.     Died,  August  20,  1863. 
Patton,  Dennis. 
Phillips,  John.     To  corporal'. 

Porter,  Thomas.     Killed  at  Fairfax  Station,  Va.,  June  19,  1863. 
Ryan,  Andrew.     Killed  at  Gettysburg,  Pa.,  July  3,  1863. 
Eitchie,  Thomas.     Died,  March  6,  1863. 
Ritchie,  Jonathan. 
Roe,  James  P. 
Robb,  William. 

Sidclall,  George.    Transferred  to  serve  out  unexpired  time. 
Shaw,  William. 
Smith,  William. 
Seddinger,  John. 
Thompson,  Robert. 
Waibel,  George. 

Wilson,  Oliver.     Transferred  to  serve  out  unexpired  time. 
Weaver,  Charles.     Discharged  for  disability,  January  23,  1863. 
Weaver,  George  E. 
Walker,  William. 
Wilkins,  William  P. 
Woodward,  E.  M.    Promoted  to  sergeant-major,  May  1,  1862. 


COMPANY  I. 
Captain. 

William  Knox,  April  17,  1861.    Honorably  discharged,  August  27, 
1861.     To  sutler  of  the  regiment. 

First  Lieutenant. 

Thomas  Weir,  April  17,  1861.     Honorably  discharged,  August  27, 
1861. 

Second  Lieutenant. 

John  H.  Jack,  April  17,  1861.     Honorably  discharged,  August  27, 
1861.     To  first  lieutenant  company  B. 


356  OUR  CAMPAIGNS. 

COMPANY  K. 
Captain. 

P.  I.  Smith,  April  15,  1861.  Wounded  and  prisoner  at  Glendale. 
Wounded  at  Fredericksburg.  « 

First  Lieutenant. . 

Isaac  J.  Harvey,  April  15,  1861.     To  captain  Signal  Corps. 
Second  Lieutenant. 

James  C.  Justus,  April  15,  1861.  Acting  quartermaster.  Taken 
prisoner  at  Jericho  Ford,  May  24,  1864. 

Orderly  Sergeants. 

David  H.  Pidgeon.  To  sergeant-major.  Wounded  at  Glendalc  and 
Gettysburg. 

Staughton  George.  Wounded  at  South  Mountain.  Honorably  dis 
charged.  To  second  lieutenant  Veteran  Reserves. 

Peter  Gillis,  Jr. 

Sergeants. 

Charles  Macneil.     Honorably  discharged  for  disability. 

George  W.  Nutz. 

Thomas  May.     Reenlisted. 

Joseph  F.  Sweeton.     Color  sergeant. 

Charles  C.  Upjohn.     Wounded  at  Spottsylvania  Court  House,  May 

12,  1864.     Reenlisted. 
Joshua  T.  Loyd. 

Corporals. 

Thomas  Dugan. 

Washington  George. 

James  F.  Morrison.    Wounded  and  prisoner  at  Fredericksburg, 

December  13,  1862.     Color  corporal. 
Henry  J.  Dewees.     Honorably  discharged  for  disability. 
Richard  C.  Schriner.     Honorably  discharged  for  disability. 
Henry  C.  Libe.     Appointed  May  1,  1864. 
Jeremiah  Barr. 
Samuel  G.  Eglington.     Appointed  May  1,  1864. 

Musicians. 

.George  D.  Massey.     Drummer. 

Rufus  S.  Read.  Fifer.  Reenlisted  in  battery  M,  Second  United 
States  Artillery. 

Privates. 

Andrews,  John  T. 

Asch,  Charles.     Discharged  for  minority,  June  27,  1861. 


APPENDIX  B.  357 

Barnes,  Edward.    Wounded  at  Mechanicsville,  June  26,  1862. 

Bartram,  Joseph  J. 

Benzon,  John  L.  To  quartermaster-sergeant.  To  second  lieutenant 
191st  regiment  P.  V. 

Buek,  John  S.  Discharged  to  enter  battery  M,  United  States  Artil 
lery. 

Campbell,  James.     Teamster. 

^Chamberlain,  William. 

Chew,  Hiram  F.     Wounded  at  Antietam.     Honorably  discharged. 

Coster,  William  II.  Discharged  to  enter  battery  M,  Second  United 
States  Artillery. 

Cox,  Joshua  R.  Wounded  at  Bull  Run.  Honorably  discharged  for 
disability. 

Craft,  Edward  L. 

Cross,  Augustus  T.     Appointed  sergeant-major,  June  21,  1861. 

Deitz,  William  K. 

Donnelly,  John.    Reenlisted. 

Edmonson,  Thomas.     Killed  at  Games'  Mills,  June  27,  1862. 

Elliott,  Frank  M.  Honorably  discharged  for  disability.  To  first 
lieutenant  183d  regiment  P.  V. 

Errickson,  Daniel.     Reenlisted. 

Everett,  John.     Reenlisted. 

*Fell,  Morton  S. 

Garrison,  William  B.     Honorably  discharged  for  disability. 

Gibson,  Robert  S.     Honorably  discharged  for  disability,  1862. 

Gougler,  George.     Wounded  at  Antietam.     Honorably  discharged. 

Hanft  Charles.  Wounded  at  Fredericksburg.  Honorably  discharged. 

Hart,  John  H. 

Hartman,  Thomas.  Taken  prisoner  at  Glendale.  Discharged  to 
enter  battery  C,  Fifth  United  States  Artillery. 

Hays,  Michael.  Discharged  to  enter  battery  C,  Fifth  United  States 
Artillery. 

McCollow,  Joseph. 

McNeill,  Frank  P.     Killed  at  Glendale,  June  30,  1862. 

Manning,  William  J.  Wounded  at  Antietam.  Honorably  dis 
charged  for  disability.  To  captain  192d  regiment  P.  V. 

Mendenhall,  Edward  H.  Discharged  to  enter  battery  M,  Second 
United  States  Artillery. 

Mingus,  George  W. 

Morslander,  Robert.     Detailed  to  Signal  Corps,  August  29,  1861. 

Murch,  George  B.     Died,  August  — ,  1862. 

Newberry,  John  S. 

Nolen,  Daniel  H.  Honorably  discharged  for  disability,  September 
30,  1861. 

Poulson,  Wilberforce.     Killed  at  Bull  Run,  August  29,  1862. 

*Powell,  Robert  T. 

Quinn,  James.    Died  at  Smoketown  Hospital,  Md.,  October — ,  1862. 

Keel,  Albert  R.  Wounded  at  South  Mountain.  Honorably  dis 
charged. 

Rowe,  George  W.     Honorably  discharged. 

Shaw,  Thomas.  Wounded  and  prisoner  at  Glendale.  Honorably 
discharged. 


358  OUR  CAMPAIGNS. 

Shaw,  William.     Died  of  wounds  received  at  Games'  Mills. 
Simpson,  William  H.     Killed  at  South  Mountain.     September  14. 

1862. 

Smile,  John  A.  J.     Honorably  discharged  for  disability. 
Snider,  William.     Reenlisted. 
Snyder,  Henry. 
Stanley,  Charles. 
Supplee,  John. 

Swancott,  George  W.    To  Invalid  Corps. 
Thompson,  Henry  C.    Honorably  discharged  for  disability. 
Towell,  James. 

Toy,  Andrew  J.     Killed  at  Antietam,  September  17,  1862. 
Treadway,  Harvey  B. 
Upjohn,  Henry. 
Vickers,  George  M.    Honorably  discharged  for  disability. 


APPENDIX   C. 

MARCHES  AND  BIVOUACS. 
1861. 

MILE3. 

May  28-9.  From  Philadelphia  to  Camp  Washington 66 

July  24.  "  Camp  Washington  to  Camp  Curtin 107 

44  25.  "  Camp  Curtin  to  Baltimore 85 

"  28.  "  Baltimore  to  Sandy  Hook,  Md 80 

Aug.  14.  "  Sandy  Hook  to  Berlin,  and  back 10 

44  17.  "  Sandy  Hook  to  first  bivouac 15 

"  18.  '  First  bivouac  to  Cotoctin  creek 6 

44  19.  "  Cotoctin  creek  to  the  Monocacy 8 

"  21.  "  the  Monocacy  to  Hyattstown 6 

22.  '  Hyattstown  to  new  camp 1 

41  29.  u  camp  to  near  Darnestown .8 

Sept.  19.  "  Darnestown  to  Muddy  Branch 8 

44  25.  "  Muddy  Branch  to  Tenally town,  D.  C 15 

Oct.  9.  "  Tenallytown  to  Camp  Pierpont,  Va 8 

44  19.  "  Camp  Pierpont  to  Drainesville «,  15 

44  21.  '  Drainesville  to  Camp  Pierpont 15 

Nov.  20.  "    Camp  Pierpont  to  Munson's  Hill,  and  back.  16 

Dec.  3.  "  Foraging  expedition  to  Thomas',  and  back...  16 

44  20.  "  The  battle  of  Drainesville  march 14 

1862. 

March  3.  "  Camp  Pierpont  to  Chain  Bridge,  and  back...  8 

44  5.  44  44  44  44  t4  ...  8 

"  10.  "  Camp  Pierpont  to  first  bivouac 15 

"  11.  "  first  bivouac  to  Camp  Hawkhurst 

Carried  forward 532 


APPENDIX  C.  359 


1862.                             Brought  forward 532 

Mar.    14.  From  Camp  Hawkhurst  to  near  Difficult  creek G 

"      15.  u    Difficult  creek  to  three  miles  east  of  it 15 

"      16.  "    bivouac  to  near  Alexandria 13 

April     9.  "  Alexandria  to  Rebel  cabins  near  Bull  Run...  24 

u     10.  "    the  cabins  to  Manassas  Junction 

44      17.  "    Manassas  Junction  to  near  Brentsville 7 

44      18.  "    Brentsville  to  Catlett's  Station 6 

"      26.  u     Catlett's  Station  to  Elk  Run 6 

"     27.  "    Elk  Run  to  White  Ridge '     8 

44     28.  "    White  Ridge  to  near  Falmouth 17 

"     29.  "    near  Falmouth  to  camp  below  it 

May    26.  "    camp  to  back  of  Fredericksburg 3 

41      31.  "    Fredericksburg  to  near  Falmouth 2 

June     8.  "    Falmouth  to  Cedar  Lane 

14       9.  44     Cedar  Lane  to  Gray's  Landing 1 

44  9-10.  "  Gray's  Landing  to  mouth  of  Rappahannock 

River 150 

44     10.  u    Rappahannock  river  to  Yorktown 35 

44 10-11.  44    Yorktown  to  White  House 60 

44     11.  "    White  House  to  first  bivouac 2 

44      12.  t4    bivouac  to  Dispatch  Station 10 

44      13.  44    Dispatch  Station  to  Tunstall  Station 8 

44      15.  "    Tunstall  Station  to  Dispatch  Station 8 

44      18.  44    Dispatch  Station  to  Dr.  Games' house 8 

44     19.  "    Games' house  to  Ellison's  Mills 2 

44     20.  44    Ellison's  Mills  to  Nanaley's  Mills 1 

44     24.  ;    Nanaley's  to  Mechanicsville,  on  picket 1 

14     26.               picket  to  Nanaley's •.    1 

44     26.  44  Nanaley's   Mills  to   Mechanicsville  battle 
field  4 

27.  "    Mechanicsville  field  to  Games' Mills 6 

28.  "    Games' Mills  to  Trent's  Hill 3 

28-9.  "    Trent's  Hill  to  White  Oak  Bridge 8 

29.  "    White  Oak  Bridge  to  Glendale 3 

29.  "    Glendale  to  picket 1 

30.  "    picket  to  Glendale  battle-field 1 

July      1.  44    Glendale  field  to  Malvern  Hill 6 

44    1-2.  "    Malvern  Hill  to  Harrison's  Landing 10 

Aug.    15.  4'    Harrison's  Landing  to  Fortress  Monroe 70 

44      20.  44    Fortress  Monroe  to  Aquia  creek 145 

44     21.  "    Aquia  creek  to  Falmouth 12 

44     22.  "    Falmouth  to  first  bivouac 7 

Aug.   23.  *'    bivouac  to  Crittenden's  Mills 17 

44     24.  4<    Crittenden's  Mills  to  the  Gold  Mines 8 

44     25.  44     Gold  mines  to  near  Bealton  Station 10 

44     26.  44    Bealton  Station  to  near  Warrenton 20 

44     27.  4t     Warrenton  to  Broad  Run , 12 

44     28.  "    Broad  Run  to  Bull  Run  battle-field 28 

Carried  forward loll 


360 


OUR  CAMPAIGNS. 


Aug.  30-1. 
a     31. 

Sept.     1. 
2. 
3. 
4. 
6. 
7. 
9. 
10. 
11. 
12. 
13. 
14. 
15. 
16. 
18. 
Oct.     26. 
29. 

Nov.     1. 
3. 

44  4. 
44  5. 
44  5. 
44  6. 
44  11. 
44  17. 
44  18. 
44  22. 
Dec.  8. 
44  11. 
44  12. 

44  15. 

'4  16. 

44  18. 

r"  19. 
1863. 

Jan.  20. 

44  23. 

Feb.  6. 

44  7. 

44  12. 

44  21. 

Mar.  9. 

44  28. 

June  25. 


Brought  forward 1311 

From  Bull  Run  field  to  Centreville. 7 

44    countermarching  around  Centreville,  picket 

and  back 8 

44     Centreville  to  near  Fairfax  Court-house 8 

44    Fairfax  Court-house  to  Arlington  Heights...  14 

44    Arlington  Heights  to  Arlington  House 3 

44    Arlington  House  to  Upton's  Hill 4 

Upton's  Hill  to  near  Washington 9 

44    near  Washington  to  Leesborough 10 

44     Leesborough  to  near  Brookville 10 

44    near  Brookville  to  Patuxent  river 5 

Patuxent  river  to  Poplar  Springs 10 

Poplar  Springs  to  near  New  Market 14 

44    near  New  Market  to  the  Monocacy 4 

Monocacy  to  South  Mountain  battle-field. ...  14 

44    South  Mountain  to  Keedysville 7 

44    Keedysville  to  Antietam 2 

44    Antietam  to  near  Sharpsburg 2 

44    Sharpsburg  to  Berlin 14 

44    Berlin  to  Lovettsville 8 

44    Lovettsville  to  Hamilton „  12 

44    Hamilton  to  near  PJLiilomont 9 

44    near  Philomont  to  bivouac 4 

44    bivouac  to  near  White  Plains 16 

44    White  Plains  to  picket  line 1 

44    picket  line  to  beyond  Warrenton ; 13 

44     Warrenton  to  Fayettsville 10 

44    Fayettsville  to  beyond  Grove  Churches 16 

44     Grove  Churches  to  near  Stafford  Court-house.  14 

44    Stafford  Court-house  to  Brooks'  Station 6 

•    Brooks'  Station  to  near  White  Oak  Church.  8 
44    White  Oak  Church  to  near  the  Rappahan- 

44        nock  3 

bivouac  to  Fredericksburg  battle-field 3 

44    battle-field  to  picket  on  the  north  bank 3 

picket  to  camp 3 

camp  to  bivouac A 5 

44    bivouac  to  camp  near  White  Oak  Church. ...  1 


White  Oak  Church  to  Banks'  ford 14 

Banks'  ford  to  White  Oak  Church 14 

White  Oak  Church  to  Belle  Plains. 4 

Belle  Plains  to  Alexandria....; 59 

Alexandria  to  Fairfax  Court-house 20   ** 

Fairfax  Court-house  to  Bull  Run  picket 9 

Bull  Run  picket  to  Fairfax  Court-house 9 

Fairfax  Court-house  to  Fairfax  Station 4 

Fairfax  Station  to  bivouac  beyond  Vienna...  10 


Carried  forward 17-77 


APPENDIX  C. 


361 


MILES. 

Brought  forward 1727 

June  26.  From  bivouac  to  Goose  creek 18 

44  27.                Goose  creek  to  mouth  of  Monocacy,  Md 15 

44  28.  '    Monocacy  to  near  Frederick  City 15 

"  29.  '    Frederick  City  to  bivouac  in  woods 10 

u  30.  '    the  woods  to  beyond  Uniontown 20 

July  1.  '    beyond  Uniontown  to  Pennsylvania  line 10 

44  1.  '    State  line  to  bivouac 10 

44  2.  '    bivouac  to  Gettysburg  battle-field 10 

44  5.  *    battle-field  to  first  bivouac 6 

44  6.  '    bivouac  to  near  Emmittsburg ,  v.  3 

44  7.  '    Emmittsburg  to  near  Frederick  City 21 

44  8.  "    near  Frederick  City  to  near  Middletown 14 

44  9.  u    near  Middletown  to  near  Keedysville 10 

44  10.  "    near  Keedysville  to  Delamont  Mills 10 

44  11.  u  Delamont  Mills  to  Hagerstown pike  on  picket.  '4 

44  12.  "    picket  to  bivouac 1 

44  14.  "    bivouac  to  Falling  Waters .'..  5 

44  15.  "    Falling  Waters  across  South  Mountain 10 

44  16.  "  eastern  base  of  South  Mountain  to  near  Berlin.  23 

44  17.  4*    near  Berlin  to  Lovettsville,  Va 8 

44  18.  "    Lovettsville  to  Wheatland 7 

44  19.  "    Wheatland  to  Purcellville 7 

44  20.  "    Purcellville  to  near  Upperville 14 

44  22.  "    Upperville  to  Rectortown ; 7 

44  23.  "    Rectortown  to  Manassas  Gap 25 

44  24.  "  Manassas  Gap  to  bivouac  on  the  mountains.  5 

44  25.  "    Mountain  bivouac  to  first  bivouac 15 

44  26.  "    bivouac  to  near  Warrenton 19 

44  27.  u    near  Warrenton  to  near  Fay etteville 4 

"  28.  "    Fayetteville  to  new  camp,  for  water 1 

Aug.  1.  "    camp  towards  Warrenton 2 

3.  "    Warrenton  towards  Fayetteville 13 

44  4.  '4    Fayetteville  to  bivouac 1 

44  8.  "    camp  to  Rappahannock  Station 9 

Sept.  16.  "  Rappahannock    Station  to  near  Culpepper 

Court-house '  13 

44  17.  u    Near  Culpepper  Court-house  to  camp 6 

Oct.  10.  *4    camp  to  Raccoon  Ford 7 

44  11.                Raccoon  Ford  to  old  camp 7 

44  11.  "    camp  to  Rappahannock  Station 19 

u  12.  "  Rappahannock  Station  to  Brandy  Station....  8 

41  12-13.  "    Brandy  Station  to  Rappahannock  Station 8 

4'  13.  44  Rappahannock  Station  to  Catlett's  Station...  10 

44 14-15.  "    Catlett's  Station  to  near  Bull  Run 15 

44  15.  "  .  Bull  Run  to  near  Fairfax  Court-House 11 

44  17.  "    Fairfax  Court-House  to  Centreville 6 

"  18.  44     Centreville  to  Fairfax  Court-House (> 

44  19.  44  Fairfax  Court-House  to  Bull  Run  battle-field.  13 

Carried  forward...  ..  SC03 


362  OUR  CAMPAIGNS. 

MILES. 

Brought  forward 2208 

Oct.     20.     From  Bull  Run  to  iiear  New  Baltimore 10 

"     26.          "    New  Baltimore  to  New  Auburn 7 

u      30.          "    New  Auburn  to  near  Warrenton 5 

Nov.      7.                Warrenton  to  Rappahannock  Station 8 

"       7.          "    Rappahannock  Station  to  Fordman's  Ford..  6 

"       8.          "    Fordman's  Ford  to  Rebel  cabins 2 

"      10.                the  cabins  to  Mountain  Run 4 

"      24.          "    Mountain  Run  towards  the  Rapidan,  and 

back 5 

"      26.          "    Mountain  run  to  near  Chancellorsville 15 

27.          "    near  Chancellorsville  to  New  Hope  Church.  6 

"     28.          u    New  Hope  Church  to  Robinson's  Tavern....  8 

"      29.          "    Robinson's  Tavern  to  Mine  Run 3 

Dec.  2,  3.          "    Mine  Run  to  Brandy  Station 14 

u   4,5.          "    Brandy  Station  to  Bristoe  Station 20 

1864. 

April  29.          "    Bristoe  Station  to  near  Warrenton  Junction.  11 
"      30.          "     Warrenton    Junction   to  Culpepper  Court- 

House 19 

4.          "    near  Culpepper  Court-House  to  Lacy' s  farm.  22 

5.) 

6.  V  Through  the  Wilderness 30 

7-J 

8.     From  Wilderness  to  Spottsylvania  Court-House....      15 

9. 
10. 

11.    Around  Spottsylvania  Court-House 10 

12. 
13. 

14.     To  the  River  Po 15 

15. 
16. 
17. 


18. 


Countermarching  and  taking  up  positions 20 


19. 
20. 

21.     To  Guinney's  Station 18 

22.) 

23.  >  Marching  on  Telegraph  road 35 

24.) 

"25-28.  Crossing  the  Pamunkey 30 

"     29.    Around  Bethesda  Church 8 

June     1.     Bethesda  Church  to  White  House 28 

"       3.     White  House  to  Washington 252 

5.     Washington  to  Baltimore 45 

u    5-6.     Baltimore  to  Harrisburg 85 

7.     Harrisburg  to  Philadelphia 107 

Total  distance  marched  by  the  Regiment 3071 


< 


YB  37348 


M30491 


5*7 

,5" 

31 


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